Healing Without Scarring Projects

The projects of the Wake Forest-Pittsburgh Consortium address all phases of wound healing, an approach with the potential to create a new wound management paradigm.

A Device to Prevent Scar Formation

Patients are currently being recruited for a study evaluating a pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to incision wounds to prevent the mechanical stresses that can lead to scarring. Second-generation devices will be developed for specific body regions.

Project Leaders:
Geoffrey C. Gurtner, M.D., Michael T. Longaker, M.D., and Reinhold Dauskardt, Ph.D., all with Stanford University

Regenerative Bandage for Battlefield Wounds

Wound healing in the fetus occurs rapidly and without scarring. This project aims to create a regenerative bandage that incorporates stem cells from amniotic fluid and a structure designed to re-create the fetal regenerative process in adult wounds.

Project Leaders:
Geoffrey C. Gurtner, M.D., Michael T. Longaker, M.D., and Anthony Oro, M.D., Ph.D., all with Stanford University

Bioscaffolds for Promoting Scarless Healing

Working to neutralize the proteins that promote the inflammation that occurs with the healing process, this project is developing bioscaffolds designed to reduce acute inflammation and scarring.

Project Leader:
Newell R. Washburn, Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University

Regulating Fibroblast Recruitment for Regenerative Healing

Fibroblasts, the cells from which connective tissue develops, play a significant role in scar formation. The project takes a multi-pronged approach to achieve regeneration with scarring. The hope is to identify fibroblasts that may have a positive effective on healing – and to combine them with therapy to prevent inflammation.

Project Leaders:
Patricia A. Hebda, Ph.D., Joseph E. Dohar, M.D., M.S., and Tianbing Yang, Ph.D., all with the University of Pittsburgh

Molecular Therapies for Wound Healing

By studying the molecules involved in wound healing in the fetus, this project will work to establish novel therapies to reduce scarring in adult wounds.

Project Leader:
Sandeep Kathju, M.D., Ph.D., Allegheny-Singer Research Institute

Delivering Therapy to Injured Tissues

Based on peptides that transfer molecules through vascular walls and tissues, this team works to deliver systemic therapies directly to wound tissue, enhancing their penetration.

Project Leader:
Errki Ruoslahti, M.D., Ph.D., University of California -- Santa Barbara

Reducing Muscle Scarring

The project investigates the ability of the enzyme matrix metalloproteinase-1 to reduce muscle scarring. The enzyme specifically degrades the collagen that accumulates during scar formation. The team is investigating several forms of the enzyme, working to determine the optimal therapy.

Project Leaders:
Alan Russell, Ph.D., and Richard Koepsel, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh