Hydrogel films containing bioactive peptides for application in wound healing

• Grant number: 24/13142-2
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: October 01, 2025
• End date: September 30, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Biomedical Engineering - Bioengineering
• Principal Investigator: Reinaldo Marchetto
• Grantee: Reinaldo Marchetto
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: Araraquara
• Associated researchers: Aderson Zottis ; Edson Crusca Junior

Abstract

Wound healing in the cutaneous epithelium and oral mucosa involves biologically complex processes that aim to restore its integrity and functional capacity. Problems related to these biological processes can lead to the formation of complex wounds, in which healing is more difficult and prolonged periods for tissue recovery, which represents significant costs for health systems. This shows that the development of less invasive procedures and devices for biomedical wound healing applications is an important and essential task. Hydrogel films have been developed for this purpose, as they can help control the inflammatory process, hydrate and protect wounds, and absorb fluids, in addition to being used in association with biomolecules capable of accelerating the healing process and acting to prevent infections. In this context, this project aims to develop a hydrogel film formed by different combinations of cellulosic polymers, mainly hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) functionalized with chimeric peptides, containing RGD (arginine-glycine-aspartic acid) and KTTKS (lysine-tyrosine-tyrosine-lysine-serine) sequences, which have potential to stimulate the Extracellular Matrix (ECM), specifically in the processes of cell adhesion and collagen production. In the end, it is expected to obtain a high-quality hydrogel film that will stimulate the adhesion and proliferation of fibroblasts as well as the synthesis of type I collagen so that it can be used in the future as a dressing that favors the processes involved in wound healing. (AU)