AURa · Antibacterial and pro-Angiogenic electroconductive scaffold for functional woUnd Regen-eration with neurogenic cues

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Project objective

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) causes over 35,000 deaths annually in the EU/EEA and is a major driver of chronic wound complications, where biofilm infections and poor vascularization often lead to delayed healing. Therefore, AURa aims to address two critical challenges in chronic wound healing: 1) persistent bacterial biofilms, resistant to conventional antibiotics, and 2) impaired vascularization, which delays repair and increases the risk of amputation.AURa introduces a first-of-its-kind dual-action biohybrid scaffold that combines wireless, on-demand microcurrent stimulation (µES) for biofilm disruption with controlled VEGF-mimetic peptide delivery to stimulate angiogenesis and tissue regeneration. The bilayer scaffold will replicate skin’s native architecture, offering integrated antibacterial, angiogenic, and neurogenic cues in a single therapeutic platform. Using advanced biomaterials engineering and bioelectronics, AURa will explore the synergistic effects of µES and peptide release, moving beyond single-function dressings.If successful, AURa will advance next-generation electroceutical biomaterials while reducing reliance on animal testing by bridging in vitro models with clinically relevant human explant systems and thereby supporting 3Rs principles (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement). The project’s impact lies in lowering AMR-related complications, reducing amputation risk, and establishing scalable alternatives for chronic wound care.This MSCA fellowship will also provide a structured career development opportunity. Under the supervision of Prof. Fergal O’Brien at RCSI (Ireland), I will integrate my expertise in electrical stimulation-based therapeutics with his group’s leadership in biopolymer scaffolds and therapeutic delivery. AURa will therefore not only deliver a transformative wound management strategy but also strengthen my trajectory towards independent researcher in regenerative medicine and biomaterials-based electroceuticals.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

• ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS IN IRELAND · DUBLIN 2CoordinatorIreland

Links

• View on CORDIS
• DOI: 10.3030/101275368