A novel wound-dressing made of genetically engineered human collagen that will enable faster and improved healing of injuries has been developed by researchers at the Hebrew University Faculty of Dental Medicine in Jerusalem.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the animal kingdom, including humans. It is the major constituent of connective tissues - tendons, skin, bones, cartilage, blood vessel walls and membranes. Collagen fibers are responsible for keeping all the body's organs and tissues in their correct functional structure. Preliminary animal experiments with the new dressing have shown substantially faster and better healing, with rapid formation of new collagen fibers, than has been possible using older methods. It is the fruit of many years of experimentation in the laboratory of Prof. Emeritus Shmuel Shoshan, who is the chief scientist of Dittekol Ltd. - a company formed in cooperation with the Hebrew University's Yissum Research Development Company to commercialize the new wound dressing. The company is now negotiating with investors for further development.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the animal kingdom, including humans. It is the major constituent of connective tissues - tendons, skin, bones, cartilage, blood vessel walls and membranes. Collagen fibers are responsible for keeping all the body's organs and tissues in their correct functional structure. Preliminary animal experiments with the new dressing have shown substantially faster and better healing, with rapid formation of new collagen fibers, than has been possible using older methods. It is the fruit of many years of experimentation in the laboratory of Prof. Emeritus Shmuel Shoshan, who is the chief scientist of Dittekol Ltd. - a company formed in cooperation with the Hebrew University's Yissum Research Development Company to commercialize the new wound dressing. The company is now negotiating with investors for further development.