Dr Wenxin Wang, a principal investigator at the Network of Excellence for Functional Biomaterials (NFB), NUI Galway, has been awarded the prestigious SFI Principal Investigator award for his proposal focused on novel polymers for wound healing applications.
Entitled ‘In situ Formed Stem Cell Biological Dressing for Wound Healing’, Dr. Wang’s proposal aims to develop an advanced in-situ formed soft tissue replacement based on a unique thermo-responsive and photo-crosslinkable dendritic polymer system. Hard-to-heal chronic wounds affect millions of patients each year, and the goal of the research is to develop novel a dressing system which improves clinical outcomes for these patients. The system will incorporate stem cells and active biomolecules to enhance the therapeutic response, thereby improving clinical outcomes associated with the two chronic wound conditions in which he has a strong interest: diabetic ulcers and wounds associated with the genetic disease Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (RDEB).
The successful applicants to the SFI PI scheme were unveiled at an SFI showcase attended by Mr. Sean Sherlock T.D., Minister for Research and Innovation. The SFI PI scheme was recently heralded as chief among a list of measures to support innovation in Ireland by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation, Mr. Richard Bruton T.D. Altogether almost 300 high-quality jobs over the next five years; Dr. Wang will recruit four personnel, one post-doctoral candidate and three post-graduate researchers to undertake the work-programme which has been funded.
Dr Wenxin Wang will work closely with his scientific collaborators Professor Abhay Pandit, NFB; Dr. Yolanda Garcia, NFB and anatomy, NUI Galway; Mr. Jack Kelly, Consultant Plastic Surgeon, University Hospital Galway; Prof. Timothy 0'Brien at REMEDI, NUI Galway; Prof. Edel O’Toole, Queen Mary University, London; Dr. Andrew South, University of Dundee and Prof. Jouni Uitto of Thomas Jefferson University in the United States. The work will be supported by DEBRA Ireland, the charity focused on supporting sufferers of epidermolysis bullosa (EB) in Ireland.
Having joined the NFB in Galway in 2008 as a University Fellow, Dr. Wang was soon appointed as a SFI Lecturer in Functional Biomaterials. Dr. Wang has worked both in industry and academia, making significant contributions in both sectors. He has published more than 60 peer-reviewed papers in high impact factor journals and has filed 10 patents. His current research at NUI, Galway focuses on the synthesis of functional dendritic polymers, multifunctional nanocarriers for therapeutic biomolecular delivery, stimuli-responsive polymeric materials and hydrogels for tissue engineering.
Speaking after the award, Dr Wang said: “I am very pleased to have received such a prestigious award. It is a great honor and very encouraging for me to have been chosen to continue my research in this field. SFI has entrusted me with a high level of confidence and I have no doubt that, with this award, I will achieve my ultimate goal of improving the quality of life for patients. To reach this goal, I shall apply expertise in polymer synthesis and functional biomaterials, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine and in doing so; I hope to create an In situ Biological Dressing for Wound Healing.”
Dr. Avril Keenan of DEBRA Ireland has commended the support offered by SFI and has reiterated DEBRA Ireland’s commitment to support the research “We are genuinely thrilled that Wenxin’s work is being supported in this way by SFI. EB is a devastating condition for patients and their families. Severe forms require hours of daily wound dressing and patients live in constant pain. Wenxin and his team show exceptional dedication to improving the lives of EB patients and this award will allow them to really develop their approach to better wound care. DEBRA Ireland has a very strong working relationship with the group and will continue to provide whatever support necessary, to ensure the success of the research”.
