Formulations that target impact and localise action

Nanotechnology is often talked about as being magical new science, the origin of new and exotic micro-machines, miniature devices and hyper effective medicines.

This talk will unpack some of that magic and highlight where nanotechnology offers control over the behaviour of molecules and how specialised imaging tools are necessary to demystify that behaviour.

Chronic wounds are a huge burden on the NHS with significant debilitating effects on patients. This is exacerbated by diabetes, an ageing population and antibiotic resistance. Current dressings cannot treat chronic wound complications because they are passive and depend on the body’s ability to heal itself. However, this ability is compromised in chronic wound sufferers. Therefore, biologically active dressings that take an active part in wound healing, for expeditious recovery at cost effective rate is an unmet clinical need. This talk will explore recent advances in therapeutically active dressings for effective treatment of wounds. A major focus is the treatment of chronic wounds and prevention of complications such as amputations using various technologies including 3D printing/bioprinting, freeze-drying, electrospinning and embedding with pharmacological agents. These are designed to target different phases of wound healing including prevention and treatment of infection and overcoming inflammation, which is the major hallmark of chronic wounds/ulcers.