Burn injuries are among the most devastating of all injuries and a major global public health burden. Severe (full- and deep partial-thickness) burns are a significant challenge among military service members, often leading to debilitating hypertrophic scar (HTS) formation and scar contractures that severely compromise normal function. The current standard-of-care for severe burn wounds is the spit thickness skin grafts (STSG), which provides wound coverage. However, skin grafts often still result in scar contractures and other disadvantages including fragility, abnormal pigmentation, rough texture.
Author: afirm4
Modular Lego-Like Scaffolds for In-theater Craniofacial Regeneration
Recent advancements in 3D printing have revolutionized the field of tissue engineering, particularly in the creation of tailored scaffolds for tissue regeneration. However, widespread adoption of this technology in medical settings, especially in combat zones, remains impractical due to logistical challenges.
AFIRM Project Announcement
The Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, part of Wake Forest University School of Medicine, has been selected to lead the Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine (AFIRM) Consortium. The project – a $40 million, five year-long award from the Defense Health Agency (DHA) – will focus on taking regenerative medicine solutions for battlefield injuries to the next level, and ultimately to the general public.