Our Impact
Microneedles accelerate wound healing through drug delivery and extraction
Published on 11th July 2024
The problem
Persistent inflammation, characterized by the intense interplay of inflammatory chemokine secretion and immune cell infiltration, is a hallmark of many skin disorders including diabetic wounds with inadequate therapeutic interventions.
Our solution
We developed microneedles that can deliver therapeutic IL-4 cytokine and protect growth factors, and extract inflammatory chemokines and immune cells.
The impact
We found that after our microneedle treatment, wounds in diabetic mice and pigs healed up to 100% faster. Our technology is a novel demonstration of therapeutics delivery and inflammatory chemokine and immune cell extraction to treat a broad range of inflammatory skin disorders
Our paper
Le et al. Bioactive sucralfate-based microneedles promote wound healing through reprogramming macrophages and protecting endogenous growth factors (link). Biomaterials (2024).
Le et al. Sponge-like microneedles spatially sequester chemokines and deplete monocytes to alleviate inflammatory skin disorders [In Press]. Advanced Functional Materials (2024).
Technology offering
This technology is available for licensing through NUS.
Mechanical stimulations accelerate diabetic wound healing
Published on 8th Sep 2023
The problem
20% of all diabetic patients develop foot ulcers and 85% of all foot amputation is preceded by chronic diabetic wounds. This dramatically reduces the quality of life.
Our solution
We developed an all-in-one platform using mechanical stimulations to improve the biofunctions of fibroblasts and keratinocytes encapsulated in magnetic hydrogel.
The impact
We found that mechanical stimulation significantly enhanced cell proliferation, migration, collagen deposition and angiogenesis which are impaired in chronic diabetic wounds. We are developing a device that can be used in clinical setting.
Our paper
Shou et al. Mechano-activated cell therapy for accelerated diabetic wound healing (link). Advanced Materials (2023).
Technology offering
This technology is available for licensing through NUS.
Soft bed halts cancer progression
Published on 13th Jan 2023
The problem
All of us have a preference for stiff or soft beds, and cancer cells do too! When grown in stiffer extracellular matrix bed, cancer progresses faster. What happens if the matrix bed becomes softer? Unfortunately, there is no existing technology that can provide matrix softening.
Our solution
We developed a magnetic hydrogel which stiffens in close proximity with a magnet and softens when magnet is moved away. Using this, we found that softening of extracellular matrix bed reverses malignant characteristics of cancer and enhances drug response.
The impact
The magneto-softening technology can be used as a drug screening platform to study the therapeutic effects of matrix softening drugs and enzymes. More broadly, it can be used to further the study of matrix softening which has been neglected by the research community despite the knowledge that cells actively remodel their extracellular environment.
Our paper
Shou et al. Dynamic magneto-softening of 3D hydrogel reverses malignant transformation of cancer cells and enhances drug efficacy (link). ACS Nano (2023).
Mechano-stimulation boost stem cell manufacturing
Published on 2nd Jan 2023
The problem
Mesenchymal stem cells have huge therapeutic potential, but manufacturing them using 2D cell culture plate or 2.5D microcarriers reduce stemness and lack mechanical preconditioning.
Our solution
We coupled magneto-mechanical stimulation in our hydrogel platform to boost stem cell growth, secretions of therapeutic factors and direct cell differentiation including osteochondral interface as shown in the image below. The hydrogel is made with research-grade, biocompatible ingredients with clinical-grade equivalent.
The impact
The magnetic hydrogel platform which can be used for direct stem cell manufacturing to therapy, especially for applications requiring fewer but high quality cells, is a paradigm shift from existing protocols.
Our paper
Shou et al. Mechano-responsive hydrogel for direct stem cell manufacturing to therapy (link). Bioactive Materials (2023).
