The doctoral network INTROS aims to develop diagnostic and prevention strategies for acute complex wounds that are at risk of infection. Infections represent a significant challenge, as they often require prolonged treatment and may even result in extended hospital stays. To address this issue, the doctoral candidates and consortium partners dedicate their efforts in creation of early diagnostic methods that can effectively detect infection and/or facilitate the direct application of advanced antimicrobial dressings and innovative formulations following burn or surgical procedures. Additionally, the (bio)materials will be designed to prevent inflammation, promote healing and regeneration, thereby reducing the risk of infection and its associated complications such as scarring and impairments. The developed systems will consist of innovative nano-/micro-sized delivery systems, biodegradable and-compatible electrical sensors or patches based on hydrogels, bacterial nanocellulose and polyurethanes, as well as biologically active extracellular vesicles. This will be supported by extensive biocompatibility and efficacy testing in vitro, in vivo and especially in ex vivo wound models as well as in-depth physicochemical characterisation. Special emphasis will be on the scale-up to industrial levels and manufacturing towards GMP conditions already during the project's lifetime.
The objectives of the doctoral project at VITO in collaboration with University of Antwerp are to:
1) Manufacture bioengineered human MSC-EVs, comparing genetic engineering with surface functionalization for enhanced interaction and modulation of skin resident immune cells (macrophages, Langerhans cells, T cells).
2) Study the formation and nature of a biomolecular corona in skin wound environment, and impact on cellular recognition and uptake.
3) Perform an in vitro study of anti-inflammatory effects and tissue regeneration in an ex vivo burn wound model (secondment to partner Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin planned).
4) Prepare for GMP-compliant processing: translation of bioengineered EVs to clinic (secondments to Anicells and MyBiotech GmbH planned).
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