Burn victims grow new skin from own cells in Canadian medical breakthrough
Researchers grow skin from soldiers' own cells that fuse naturally, without rejection, in up to eight weeks.
Canadian scientists are treating injured soldiers from the CFB Wainwright fire with new skin substitute technology. Researchers at CHU de Québec-Université Laval take a toonie-sized biopsy of healthy skin and extract the cells to grow them into complete skin tissue with both layers of natural skin.
Clinical data from 50 patients treated since 2005 shows their own bodies do not reject the substitutes. The tissue stays flexible, reducing scarring and repeated surgeries.
The first batch takes up to eight weeks to grow and covers part of a torso. Biopsies from several of the 25 soldiers in hospital have been taken, and cells are now growing in the lab.
A team at the University of Manitoba is developing 3D-printed skin patches and smart dressings that release antibiotics when infection is detected.
- Toonie-sized (Canadian two-dollar coin)
- Biopsy size
- 50 burn patients treated since 2005
- Clinical trial patients
- 25 as of November 4
- Soldiers hospitalized
- Up to 8 weeks
- Growth time for first batch
Why it mattersFor severe burn patients, the technology reduces scarring and the need for repeated surgeries. Using their own cells means no rejection.
AustraliaAustralian burn centres and military medical services may eventually adopt this Canadian technology, improving recovery for firefighters, military personnel and civilians with catastrophic burns.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
