Project R-17139

Whole-mycelium powder materials as bio-based wound healing products (Research)

Wound healing is a complex process involving overlapping stages of haemostasis, inflammation, proliferation and remodeling of the wound site. The incidence of wounds, especially chronic and complex wounds, can impact healthcare. Due to this, more effective wound healing strategies are required. Recently, bio-based materials have gained attention in the field of wound healing thanks to their superior biocompatibility, biological activity, and biodegradability. Fungal materials in particular, have been of interest thanks to their physicochemical characteristics such as 3D porous structure, hydrophilicity, and bioactive compounds including ,B-glucans and chitin. These bioactive compounds show improved wound healing capabilities through mechanisms including immunomodulation, anti-microbial and -inflammatory activity, as well as promoting cell migration and angiogenesis. However, these results were mostly determined based on single-compound fungal extracts of either ,B-glucans or chitin, overlooking potential synergistic effects between compounds. To address this limitation and offer a simpler alternative to extracting individual compounds, this research project aims to assess the biocompatibility and wound healing capabilities of whole-mycelium powders on both in vitro and in vivo models. In addition, the compatibility between whole-mycelium powders and hydrogels will be evaluated, potentially improving the microenvironment at the wound site through their synergistic effects.

01 October 2026 - 30 September 2030