Chief Investigator: Dr Zlatko Kopecki

Funding Amount : $100,000

Recipient: University of South Australia

Overview: Burns are one of the most common injuries suffered by Australians and one of the top three causes of death in children under five. The emergence of multi-drug resistant bacteria, including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), is leading to increased numbers of paediatric patients with deep burn wounds suffering infections. For patients with extensive full-thickness burns, acellular dermal substitutes have been used to achieve physiological closure however loss from infection is a major clinical limitation. We have taken a novel approach to develop the next-generation antimicrobial dermal matrix which could be life-changing in the management of deep burns in children.