Smart Hydrogel Sheets for Faster Healing

Scientists have created a new way to help heal skin and other soft tissues. They used a special kind of hydrogel that can change shape over time. This hydrogel is printed in a way that allows it to be customized for each person's needs. The hydrogel sheets are very thin, about 1mm thick. This makes them easy to put into the body without causing much damage. Once inside, they absorb fluids and start to change shape. This change in shape helps to stretch the skin and promote healing. In tests on rats, the hydrogel sheets showed amazing results. After just five days, the skin area and weight increased significantly. This happened without any damage to the tissue. The hydrogel sheets worked faster and safer than previous methods. Researchers found that the hydrogel sheets might trigger a process called epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). This process is important for tissue regeneration. The hydrogel sheets might affect a pathway called PI3K-AKT, which plays a role in EMT. This new technology could be a game-changer for regenerative medicine. It offers a personalized and faster way to heal soft tissues. The hydrogel sheets could be used to treat skin or mucosal defects, providing a safer and more effective solution.