UNAM creates hydrogel for wound healing

A special substance-free hydrogel is being developed in the Faculty of Chemistry at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) .

This substance could help in healing wounds and burns due to its anti-bacterial properties, according to the Directorate-General of Social Communication at UNAM through a press release.

Gerardo Leyva Gómez

, head of the investigation, has indicated that there are three different types of wounds : burns, cuts by sharp objects, and injuries caused by chemical substances. Depending on the affected area, these types of wounds can often jeopardize the victims’ lives.

Synthetic

and natural polymers were combined to create the hydrogel, which helps improve the scarring process , Leyva Gómez explained.

The substance was tested against two ATCC bacteria and two clinical isolate strains . Scientists found that the hydrogel reduces bacteria contamination .

As a complement to the study, histologies were used to know the restoration process at an internal level and it was found that the synthetic substance allows for collagen and elastin to form on the skin . The research and its findings were published in a scientific journal last year, and are in the process of patent application.

According to the National Epidemiological Surveillance System , 126,786 burn wound cases were registered in 2013.

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