Journal
Discover Materials
Discover Materials is an open access journal publishing research across all fields relevant to materials, and areas where materials are activators for innovation and disruption.
The treatment of chronic wounds remains a huge problem around the world due to several factors that include microbial infection, underlying conditions (e.g., diabetic mellitus and cancer), etc. Most of the wound dressing products that are used to treat wounds suffer from several limitations, such as poor biological effects, poor mechanical properties, and poor cost-effectiveness. Polymers have been demonstrated as potential materials that can be used to formulate scaffolds for the treatment of wounds. Natural and synthetic polymers can be combined to produce wound dressing scaffolds that exhibit excellent mechanical performance, improved tissue regeneration, reduced toxicity, appropriate water vapor transmission rate, and good porosity, with improved wound healing effects. Wound dressing scaffolds are formulated in various forms that include nanofibers, sponges, hydrogels, topical gels, composites, membranes, films, and foams. These scaffolds are usually loaded with bioactive agents to further improve their therapeutic and wound healing effects. Due to their ability to be enriched with bioactive agents (i.e., antibiotics, metal nanoparticles, plant extracts, etc.), they can result in controlled and sustained drug release mechanisms that are very important in wound treatment. This collection aligns with the United Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) that focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.
This Collection provides a platform for scholars, researchers, and professionals in wound care and health to share knowledge and innovative experiences on wound healing and skin regeneration. It welcomes submissions including but not limited to the following research topics: polymer-based scaffolds, wound healing, skin regeneration, bioactive agents, antimicrobial effects, anti-inflammatory effects, nanofibers, hydrogels, and sponges.
Keywords:
Chronic wounds, wound healing, skin regeneration, natural polymers, synthetic polymers, hydrogels, nanofibers, sponges, films
This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3.
Submit your manuscript to this collection through the participating journal.
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Sibusiso Alven
Dr. Sibusiso Alven is currently a postdoctoral research fellow at Nelson Mandela University with research interests in material and medicinal chemistry. He obtained his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in medicinal chemistry from the University of Fort Hare, where his research project was focused on polymer-based materials for wound dressing applications. He published several articles and book chapters in reputable international journals. -
Xhamla Nqoro
Dr. Xhamla Nqoro is a lecturer and a researcher at Walter Sisulu University with expertise in pharmaceutical and medicinal chemistry, specializing in the development of polymer-based scaffolds loaded with bioactive agents for wound healing applications. He earned his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Fort Hare, where his work focused on designing and evaluating novel biomaterials for enhanced wound repair. Dr. Nqoro has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications and book chapters in biomaterials and regenerative medicine, and his work integrates organic chemistry, polymer science, and material–tissue interaction studies.
