Speakers - 2026

Title: Translational potential of a sustainable mxene/collagen patch for chronic wound care

Abstract

Chronic and diabetic wounds remain an unrelenting global health burden, demanding the development of drugs, dressings, and patches that can accelerate wound healing. Herein, we have fabricated the bioactive nanocomposite wound dressing patch (Cs/FC/MXene/ZrO2+Cu) from collagen extracted from fish byproducts, combined with chitosan, MXene nanosheets, and bioactive metal oxides like Zirconium dioxide and Copper. XRD, FTIR, and Raman Spectroscopy proved the successful incorporation of bioactive composites and chemical bonding. The FESEM and TEM analysis demonstrated surface roughening, nanoparticle integration due to the incorporation of Zr and Cu doping. The mechanical testing of the patch revealed improved tensile strength to 28MPa compared to pure chitosan and chitosan /collagen matrices (22- 23MPa). The Cs/FC/MXene/ZrO2+Cu patch exhibited the lowest swelling percentages (58%), reduced degradation rate (45-55% over 10 days), and lower porosity (-60%), suggesting that the fabricated patch possesses a denser and durable polymer network with superior moisture retention and cohesive properties. In vitro biocompatibility analysis using NIH3T3 fibroblast cells and red blood cells endorsed the cytocompatibility and hemocompatibility. In vivo wound healing studies revealed significant improvements in wound closure (>90% by day 10), enhanced re-epithelialization, and increased neovascularization compared to control groups on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Furthermore, histopathological analysis endorsed the dense collagen matrix formation and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, and abundant granulation tissue. This novel Collagen and MXene-based nanocomposite patch positions them as a promising, eco-friendly healing accelerating patch, which will have translational potential in the global health burden arising from chronic and diabetic ulcers.