Aussie research speeds burns recovery

Severe burns, like those experienced by Bali bombing victims, could be healed in half the time due to world-first research by QUT and the Red Cross. The International Red Cross Society Bali Relief Fund has provided more than $300,000 for the research project which aims to speed the rate at which a skin graft grows both in the laboratory and on a patient's body.

Researcher at Queensland University of Technology's Centre for Molecular Biotechnology Dr Zee Upton said recent world events had underlined the need for this type of technology.

Dr Upton said researchers would use their VitroGro complex - a special combination of proteins that speeds the rate at which certain skin cells grow - and apply it to burns wounds.

"For wounds where only the top layer of skin is burnt , a piece of skin the size of a 50-cent piece would be taken to the Red Cross Skin Bank where they would isolate individual cells - kerotinocytes," she said. "Those will then be cultured in a lab in dishes coated with VitroGro. Instead of taking 21 days to get enough cells to cover a patient who's got 80% of their body burnt, it should take about 10 days."

Dr Upton said the research would also investigate combining cells with the VitroGro in a spray to be applied to the new skin to help it adhere to the patient's body.

She said another benefit of the research was that the cells did not have to be grown with the help of animal-derived products, avoiding possible cross-contamination with animal diseases.

The researchers will also develop a dermal substitute for more severe burns cases where the second layer of skin is damaged - they will then use this with the VitroGro cell spray.

It is hoped clinical trials will begin in 12 months.

Item provided courtesy of QUT