Wound Healing and Care

The McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine’s Wound Healing and Care program addresses the complex challenge of chronic, non-healing wounds, particularly those caused by diabetes, trauma, burns, and poor blood circulation. In collaboration with UPMC Wound Healing Services, the program provides comprehensive clinical care across multiple sites, combining advanced treatments to support the body’s natural repair processes. These include biologic materials that guide tissue growth, application of patients’ own cells to accelerate coverage, hyperbaric oxygen therapy to enhance oxygen delivery, and electrical stimulation to promote healing while reducing infection risks.

A major emphasis is on diabetic foot ulcers, a leading cause of lower-limb amputations in the United States. The program develops innovative approaches such as spraying autologous skin cells onto burns or wounds for rapid healing and explores cell-based therapies for critical limb ischemia to restore blood flow. Research also targets biofilm infections, which create barriers to antibiotics, by identifying ways to disrupt them and improve outcomes. For pressure ulcers, updated guidelines from 2024 highlight the need for preventive strategies beyond hospital settings, as incidence remains steady despite efforts.

The program integrates basic science with patient care through a Clinical Research Unit, ensuring treatments are evidence-based and tailored. Publications emphasize the burden of “invisible wounds”—those that appear closed but remain vulnerable—urging objective assessments like skin barrier function to prevent recurrence. These efforts aim to reduce amputation risks, lower healthcare costs, and improve quality of life by restoring mobility and function. Supported by federal funding and partnerships, the program translates discoveries into practical solutions for patients with non-healing wounds.