Assessing the efficacy of administration modalities for collagen-based electroactive medical devices for wound healing and skin rejuvenation

Thesis

This dissertation investigates the development of collagen-based electroactive constructs for wound healing and skin regeneration, with a focus on how their composition, architecture, and electroactive properties can be tuned to influence fibroblast behaviour and improve regenerative outcomes. The central aim is to establish design principles that integrate structural, biochemical, and electrical cues into a single, biologically compatible platform capable of guiding cell activity and extracellular matrix (ECM) organisation in a controlled, clinically relevant manner. The motivation for this work stems from the clinical and economic burden of non-healing wounds, extensive burns, and pathological scarring, where standard dressings offer protection but limited active intervention. In such contexts, the ability to direct fibroblast migration, proliferation, and ECM synthesis is critical to accelerating closure, improving tissue quality, and reducing the risk of fibrosis. Collagen is the natural choice for such constructs: as the most abundant protein in the dermis, it offers mechanical stability, intrinsic bioactivity, and a well-understood degradation profile. Its hierarchical structure, integrin-binding domains, and piezoelectric properties make it uniquely suited for incorporation into devices that combine mechanical support with electrical stimulation.

Authors: Hatzistefanis, E

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-mp4xxkkqo
• Type of award: MSc
• Level of award: Masters
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: wound healing; electroactive medical devices; collagen; skin rejuvenation
• Subjects: Biochemical engineering