The great demand for sustainable alternatives in the wound care industry makes bio-based and biodegradable materials suitable candidates for the development of environmentally friendly wound dressings. In recent years, electrospinning has gained tremendous interest from the scientific community to produce wound dressings. Electrospun nanofiber’s mats present excellent properties, such as a high surface-to-volume ratio, high porosity, flexibility and absorption of wound exudate. Due to their nanoscale features, these membranes are capable to mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) structure, promoting the regeneration of the injured skin by favoring the cells’ attachment, proliferation and migration. Additionally, the highly interconnected pore structure with reduced pore size not only prevents microbial penetration avoiding the development of infections, but also allows water and oxygen permeability. Furthermore, the possibility to incorporate bioactive molecules with an active role in the healing process, while ensuring their sustained release to the wound site, shows the promising potential of these membranes to act as advanced biologically active dressings. All these properties are determinant for an effective wound healing process. Infections are a major issue in the wound healing process. In fact, the growth of skin pathogenic bacteria and microfungi compromises the healing process, as well as the formation of microbial biofilms on the wound surface. Hence, wound dressings must contain antimicrobial agents in order to prevent or treat infections. In recent years, the search for alternative antimicrobial agents has gained great attention because of their therapeutic properties, cost-effectiveness and low adverse effects. By the combination of natural-based and biodegradable compounds, it is possible to merge the properties of each material to create a new fibrous system not only with higher performance, but also to be used as a green alternative for wound care applications.

Partner in France: University of Montpellier, France

Coordinator for France: Dr. Mikhael Bechelany

Coordinator for Serbia: Dr. Dejan Stojković, Department of Plant Physiology IBISS

Team members from IBISS:

Dr. Ana Ćirić, Department of Plant Physiology IBISS

Dr. Marija Ivanov, Department of Plant Physiology IBISS

Dr. Marina Kostić, Department of Plant Physiology IBISS

Tamara Carević, Department of Plant Physiology IBISS