Dr. Hafiza Parkar from the University of Pretoria is fabricating “natural” skin alternatives to traditional grafts
According to the University of Pretoria, research by a newly graduated PhD candidate has led to the development of a skin replacement product that advances the possibility of 3D bioprinted “natural” skin alternatives to traditional grafts. Dr. Hafiza Parkar is a lecturer in the Department of Pharmacology. Her work focuses on secondary intention wounds – such as burns and ulcers – that are left open to heal naturally rather than being stitched.
“Creating advanced dermal substitutes that replicate human skin offers a promising solution for treating secondary intention wounds,” said Dr. Hafiza Parkar. “Current gold-standard treatments, such as skin grafts, are limited by donor availability, immune rejection, and patient comorbidities. Acellular dermal scaffolds (ADS) [cell-free skin-like structures that support healing] offer a promising alternative, where decellularization removes cells and immunogenic components while preserving the skin’s natural extracellular matrix, reducing rejection risk. ADSs are cost-effective, and their structural integrity and versatility position them as a leading biomaterial for next-generation wound therapies.”
Using novel decellularization techniques, the ADS developed in her study demonstrated faster and more effective healing in animal models, both alone and when combined with platelet-rich plasma. These findings support its potential for treating complex and chronic wounds and enabled further work toward 3D bioprinted ADSs through a transdisciplinary collaboration with UP’s Forensic Anthropology Research Centre.
“3D bioprinting enables us to create customizable acellular dermal scaffolds that can be tailored to the specific size, depth, and nature of each patient’s wound, and even include their own cells,” said Dr. Parkar. “This personalized approach will enhance the efficacy of the treatment and ensure a better fit, potentially leading to faster and more efficient healing, relieving the strain on both the healthcare system and the patient.”
