Dr. Jasmina Gačanin, postdoctoral researcher in the group of Professor Tanja Weil at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, has been appointed as the first of two “Peretti-Schmucker Fellows” at MPI-P donated by The Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation in memory of dermatologist Dr. Yvonne Katharina Schmucker. In her research project, Gačanin and co-workes will address an urgent need in the treatment of skin through newly developed innovative biomaterials.
In the research project, so-called hydrogels will be developed. These soft and tissue-like 3D materials have a network structure and represent effective scaffolds that could be designed to host living cells. In this way, living biomaterials will be created that harness the power of nature by combining biopolymers that can form hydrogels with living cells to positively support for example homeostasis and health of the skin, or facilitate its regeneration and wound healing.
The research in the project breaks completely new ground in materials research as living biomaterials could offer entirely new treatment options for restoration of skin homeostasis and regeneration. New scientific solutions will be explored to restore skin functionality, treat different forms of skin disorders, or support wound healing.
"I am very pleased that I have received the Peretti-Schmucker fellowship. Thanks to the support of the Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation, our research will contribute to identify new medical solutions to treat skin in an effective and sustainable way", explains the scientist Dr. Jasmina Gačanin. Skin is the largest organ in the human body and plays a vital role in human health as the first line of defense and a protective barrier between the environment and the inner body. However, serious changes in the composition and function of the skin can occur due to the presence of allergens, toxins and irritants such as preservatives in various products, as well as skin diseases such as acne, chronic diabetic ulcers, skin cancer and more. These require specific or "personalized" treatment to restore the patient's natural intact skin condition, its integrity, homeostasis and functionality - that cannot always be effectively achieved with conventional treatments. Recent advances in medical materials research already point to the great potential of living biomaterials for treating the skin.
MEDICA-tradefair.com; Source: Max-Planck-Institut für Polymerforschung
