Recently, researchers at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) have made major breakthroughs in the fields of skin regeneration and wound healing. They successfully developed a bioprinted skin with multiple cell types that promotes skin regeneration, vascularization, and epidermal mesh ridge formation in full-thickness wounds. The research results were published in the latest issue of the journal Science Translational Medicine.

WFIRM Director Anthony Atala, M.D., and WFIRM University postdoctoral researcher Adam Jorgensen, M.D., co-led the study. They have long been exploring the secrets of skin regeneration in the hope of providing burn victims, wounded warriors and those suffering from skin diseases the chance of a complete cure. However, existing grafts are often temporary or consist only of parts of normal skin, often leaving scars.

Now, after unremitting efforts, the research team has successfully used bioprinting technology combined with special hydrogels as biological links to create multiple layers of full-thickness skin. This skin contains all three layers present in normal human tissue: epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. When transplanted in a preclinical setting, the bioprinted skin demonstrated good blood vessels, skin patterning, and normal tissue formation.

In addition, the study also found that this bioprinted skin showed great potential in promoting wound healing, reducing skin shrinkage, and increasing collagen production. "Comprehensive skin healing is a major clinical challenge that affects millions of people worldwide. Options are limited," explained Dr. Atala. He also noted, "These results demonstrate that creating full-thickness human bioengineered skin is a viable option." possible and expected to promote faster healing and more natural results."

This research by the WFIRM team opens up a new path for fully functional skin regeneration. Bioengineered skin grafts provide a three-layered structure for full-thickness wound coverage, potentially leading to better treatment options for those suffering from severe skin injuries. By continuing to explore and develop this technology, we may be able to revolutionize the way we understand and treat skin regeneration and wound healing in the future.