A groundbreaking new bandage developed by researchers at UNMC could transform wound care by accelerating healing and dramatically reducing scarring.
Led by Sangamesh Kumbar, PhD, professor at the Nebraska Translational Research Center, and Sama Abdulmalik, PhD, assistant professor in the UNMC College of Dentistry, the team has created a first-of-its-kind “electroceutical” bandage that combines chemical and electrical stimulation to supercharge the body’s natural healing process.
The innovation, recently accepted for publication in the journal Biomaterials, integrates a nerve-repair drug (4-aminopyridine) with controlled electrical pulses delivered through a smart, ionically conductive chitosan-based bandage. The result? Faster wound closure, reduced inflammation and healthier, more functional skin regeneration in laboratory models.
“This is more than a bandage — it’s a healing system,” Dr. Kumba said. “By combining ionic and electrical cues, we’re activating biological pathways that neither approach could trigger on its own. The mechanism offers a powerful strategy to improve wound repair, restore tissue function and reduce scarring.”
The team’s earlier research in peripheral nerve repair laid the foundation for this breakthrough. Now, they’re applying the same principles to skin wounds — where scarring remains a persistent clinical challenge.
In lab studies, the dual-action bandage significantly boosted the activity of skin-repairing cells, improved collagen structure and even stimulated the expression of neurotrophic factors — proteins that support nerve and tissue repair.
“Our goal is to move beyond passive wound dressings,” Dr. Abdulmalik said. “This technology actively guides the healing process, which could be a game-changer for both civilian and military medicine.”
The research now is progressing into larger preclinical models, with the aim of bringing this next-generation wound care solution closer to clinical use.