The Cellu4Heal project is working on a new type of wound treatment for severe burn injuries. The goal is to create the Cellu4Heal matrix, which is a special gel, made from nanocellulose (a material derived from natural fibers), that is biodegradable, fights bacteria, and can carry stem cells to help skin heal and regrow. On top of this, the team is also designing a smart spray system to apply the gel directly onto wounds in a controlled way.
The project brings together experts from University of Bergen (UiB, Norway), RISE PFI (Norway), National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest (UPB, Romania), University of Helsinki (UH, Finland) and an industrial partner (Alginor Biorefinery AS (ABR AS), Norway).
We have worked on different complementary tasks to reach our goals. The nanocellulose, which forms the basis of the Cellu4Heal matrix, has been produced and tested under powerful microscopes to confirm its structure. The gel was also combined with prepared silver nanoparticles (known for their antibacterial effects), and different mixtures were evaluated to identify the most stable and effective versions. These were tested against common harmful bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Prototypes of the spray device have been developed, and spray nozzles were tested and improved to deliver the nanocellulose gel in tiny droplets without damaging the cells. Methods were identified to reduce evaporation and protect the living cells inside the droplets, making spraying more efficient and precise. Tests were carried out to determine whether stem cells can survive and stay active after being sprayed within fibrin gel using the new spray device. Results so far are promising — the cells remain alive and functional under different spraying conditions. In parallel, lab-grown skin models that mimic real human skin layers are being created to test the gel and spray system before moving into in vivo burn model studies. Early in vivo experiments have already been performed to establish reliable burn models, which will later be used to evaluate how effectively the Cellu4Heal matrix and spray system promote wound healing.
In short, the project is bringing together new biomaterials, smart spray technology, and stem cell therapy to develop a safer, more effective way to treat severe burns.
Since the 1970s, large burn wounds have been treated with essentially the same strategies including surgical excision and grafting. Although later improvements in intensive care have led to decreased mortality, there is a great need for further advancements in wound healing and skin regeneration. In recent years, the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in the treatment of burns has gained increasing attention. Preclinical studies have indicated both local improvements in burn wound healing and long-term improvements in scar quality and contractures. However, there is a lack of a functional matrix for accurate dosing and delivery of MSC to the wound, and the optimal clinical administration system for MSC therapy is yet to be developed. Our project aims to develop and validate an advanced hydrogel matrix based on nanocellulose (CNF) (Cellu4Heal matrix) innovatively engineered with biodegradability and antibacterial properties that specifically meets the requirements of MSC delivery and therapeutically modifies the burn wound environment. The Cellu4Heal matrix can be utilized for accurate dose-controlled administration of MSC therapy to facilitate and promote skin regeneration of severe burn injuries. The Cellu4Heal project will develop an advanced degradable nanocellulose-based scaffolding material that is biocompatible and will add the novelty of built in properties of biodegradability to avoid remaining foreign material in the body beyond the period needed for the cell therapy to exert its sought effects of supporting skin regeneration. In addition, a novel intelligent spray-on delivery system will be developed for controlled administration of the Cellu4Heal matrix on the wounds.
The project is a collaboration between University of Bergen (UiB, Norway), RISE PFI (Norway), National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest (UPB, Romania), University of Helsinki (UH, Finland) and an industrial partner (Alginor Biorefinery AS (ABR AS), Norway).
