New ‘living bandage’ continuously delivers therapeutic proteins to speed wound healing

Rice University researchers developed a biocompatible “living bandage” that uses engineered cells to continuously release cytokines inside wounds.

In mouse and pig studies, the patch sped up healing and activated key wound-repair pathways.

The system uses a hydrogel matrix with ARPE-19 cells to deliver proteins such as IL-10, IL-12, and TGF-β locally.

The platform could help treat chronic, hard-to-heal wounds and may be adaptable for other diseases needing targeted protein delivery.