Unraveling chronic wounds with industrial biotech: remodeling anti-biofilm testing methods and developing preventative treatments for pressure ulcers

Biotechnology is a very broad discipline which seeks to use biological systems to mitigate a need of the population. One expansive problem is the burden of chronic wounds on a growing percent of the aging population. This practicum focuses on developing treatments for these wounds. After a review of wounds and healing, this thesis discusses the specific projects encompassed by this practicum. These include pressure ulcer prevention and treatment through skin care product formulation assessment which combines moisture absorption and moisture barrier tests, colony biofilm model development and establishment, and novel anti-biofilm protease treatment research. With the results of this practicum thesis and further research, new and better treatments for chronic wounds will, hopefully, be developed and provided to the patients who require them.