Research Summary
Skin-related injuries, such as serious burns, often require surgical treatment to replace or repair damaged tissue. One approach, called skin tissue engineering, uses specially designed materials—known as biomaterials—to help new tissue grow. Within this process, scaffolds are three-dimensional structures that give cells a surface to attach to and the support they need to develop into healthy tissue.
Dr. Jianyu Li, Canada Research Chair in Tissue Repair and Regeneration, is addressing critical challenges in repairing, regenerating and reconstructing soft tissues, particularly skin and fat (adipose) tissue. He and his research team are developing a new class of biomaterials called cell-crosslinking hydrogels, or cytogels. Their work includes creating injectable cytogel glues to heal wounds, engineering antifibrotic biomedical devices with cytogel coatings, and bioprinting 3D cytogel scaffolds for reconstructing adipose tissue. Ultimately, Li’s team aims to overcome the limitations of traditional bioadhesives (glues) and tissue-engineered scaffolds.