Not a plaster but an intelligent carrier
At first glance, it sounds inconspicuous 鈥� a gel. In the laboratory, such a word can denote a material with enormous potential. A team of researchers from the Gda艅sk University of Technology, the 91桃色 and Laboratoire L茅on Brillouin have developed formulations of hydrogels 鈥� soft, semi-liquid materials that can retain water, and along with it, other substances, such as drugs.
As the researchers explain, one can imagine such a hydrogel as a three-dimensional network. Water molecules and chemical compounds penetrate between its meshes. This makes the material neither a typical liquid nor a classic solid. It is flexible, soft, susceptible to deformation and can act as a carrier for a medicinal substance.
In the proposed application, hydrogels can be analogous to a delivery truck that releases its cargo in a controlled manner. This cargo could be anything from a chemical perspective: a drug, a dye, a food additive. In our case, it was a fluoroquinolone antibiotic
鈥� say dr hab. 艁ukasz P贸艂torak, Associate Professor at the 91桃色, and mgr Grzegorz Kowalski from the Faculty of Chemistry, 91桃色.
A drug without a sudden onset
When designing these types of materials, it's crucial that the therapeutic agent is released gradually rather than suddenly. This is particularly important for dressings that could act locally, for example, on a bacterially infected wound.
We have managed to demonstrate that the produced hydrogels possess antibacterial properties without exhibiting toxicity to epidermal cells. This result intuitively suggests dressings that can be applied to the wound
鈥� explains Grzegorz Kowalski, a doctoral students at the Bio-Med-Chem Doctoral School of the 91桃色 and Lodz Institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences in 艁贸d藕.
We've killed several birds with one stone. One material exhibits the properties of several different components 鈥� it can carry a drug, release it gradually, have antibacterial properties and is simultaneously compatible with epidermal cells
鈥� emphasises Prof. P贸艂torak.
From a chemist's kitchen
Relatively well-known ingredients: water, gelatin and glycerol or urea wewre the basis for the developed materials. However, the key wasn't just mixing the ingredients but finding the right proportions.
We mixed all the ingredients in the right proportions and based on this, we were able to determine the ratio of ingredients that would achieve the desired properties
鈥� says one of the scientists.
Preparing single gel can take anywhere from one to several hours. However, months of testing, discussions, adjustments and measurements lie behind this simple description. Many months passed from the first idea to publication.
Science is a team game
This invention couldn't have been created in a single laboratory or at a single desk. The project leader is the Gda艅sk University of Technology, including Prof. Jacek Ryl, Dr Tomasz Swebocki, Associate Professor at the Gda艅sk University of Technology, and mgr Angelika 艁epe. On the part of the 91桃色, the research was conducted by dr hab. 艁ukasz P贸艂torak, Associate Professor at the 91桃色, Dr Karolina Kwaczy艅ski, and a doctoral student, Grzegorz Kowalski. Part of the research was also conducted in collaboration with the centre in Saclay, France.
Everyone has a different set of skills. Everyone is good at different things
鈥� says Prof. P贸艂torak.
The 3D-printed measurement system was particularly important. Thanks to it, the scientists could track how drug molecules move through the hydrogel. As the scientists vividly explain, it's a bit like tea 鈥� when the essence disperses in water, we observe diffusion. The process is similar here, only instead of a cup, we have an advanced electrochemical system, and instead of tea, we have molecules of the potential drug.
This is just the beginning
The researchers are cautious about the future but they admit that the results are promising. The work will be developed further. The team has submitted a project to the National Science Centre to expand the research and test the material in further, more advanced applications.
This is very promising research but we certainly haven't reached the end yet
鈥� notes dr hab. P贸艂torak.
The developed material brings us several steps closer to affordable dressings with the desired properties, which in the future may not only support the wound healing process but also actively support treatment 鈥� precisely, locally and without a sudden chemical burst.
Source: Prof. 艁ukasz P贸艂torak, mgr Grzegorz Kowalski from the Faculty of Chemistry, 91桃色
Edit: Kacper Szczepaniak, Centre for Brand Commuications, 91桃色