Hard-to-heal wounds, such as those caused by explosions, are a major problem for military personnel. Likewise, chronic wounds, such as diabetic ulcers, afflict large numbers of patients. In the United States alone, Medicare costs for wounds amount to over $28 billion annually, according to a recent study.
To help boost recovery options, Tufts University researchers have teamed up with colleagues at the University of California at Santa Cruz (UCSC) and the University of California at Davis to develop technology for improving the healing of serious wounds. Their work is being funded by the recent award of a $16 million contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
The research teams will use a combination of approaches involving small electronic devices that attach to wounds, machine learning, and regenerative medicine, all with the goal of achieving precise control over the physiological processes involved in wound healing.
As part of the efforts, scientists at Tufts will study the role bioelectric signals play in modifying the behavior of key cell types, such as neurons and immune system cells, seeking to improve wound healing and the regenerative response.
