Inductive Scaffolds for Tissue Regeneration following Traumatic Injury

---

Stephen F. Badylak, DVM, PhD, MD

McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine
University of Pittsburgh

Acute traumatic soft tissue wounds to the extremities, abdomen, and thorax are common in the battlefield setting. Hemorrhage, bacterial contamination, and the need for immediate containment of abdominal and thoracic structures are all concerns in the emergent combat setting. Treatment options must include devices that are lightweight, transportable, sterilizable, and require minimal training for quick and easy application to the injured soldier or civilian. Dr. Badylak’s preliminary studies show that ECM bioscaffolds have the ability to meet all of these requirements. However, it is likely that the group can change the default mechanism of wound healing (i.e., scarring) if the appropriate micro-environment and signals are available at the wound site.

Inductive Scaffolds for tissue regeneration following traumatic injury.

Testing is required to determine the appropriate form of ECM bioscaffolds that provide all of the above properties. It is estimated that biomaterial can be made available to the Armed Forces for clinical use within a 24-month period.