Emerging Technologies
Researchers in the Department of Plastic Surgery have conducted extensive basic science work on the role of lasers on improving chronic wound outcomes, in particular as a minimally invasive method of enhancing transdermal delivery of drugs. They have also developed techniques in isolating stem cells from adipocyte tissue and are looking at the role of these stem cells in conjunction with fat grafting in wound healing models such as cutaneous radiation injuries.
From the results of various studies and information from other studies currently underway, researchers hope to be able to use these techniques as a way of restarting the dormant healing process in chronic wounds.