With growing numbers of elderly individuals and increasing incidences of diabetes, chronic wounds are becoming more prevalent, putting countless patients at risk of losing limbs through amputation. Scientists at the University of California, Riverside have pioneered an innovative gel that releases oxygen to treat stubborn injuries, potentially averting the need for such drastic measures and promoting effective recovery.
How Oxygen Shortage Impedes Wound Recovery
Chronic wounds are defined as injuries that persist without significant improvement after more than four weeks. These persistent sores impact approximately 12 million people globally each year, including roughly 4.5 million in the United States alone. Shockingly, nearly 20% of those affected end up facing amputation, a procedure that dramatically alters their lives.
The groundbreaking gel, which has undergone rigorous testing in animal studies, zeroes in on a primary culprit behind many non-healing wounds: insufficient oxygen reaching the deepest parts of the injured area. When oxygen supplies are inadequate, these wounds remain trapped in a chronic inflammatory phase. This environment fosters bacterial growth and leads to ongoing tissue breakdown instead of the desired repair and renewal processes.
“These types of wounds simply do not resolve on their own,” explained Iman Noshadi, an associate professor of bioengineering at UC Riverside and the lead researcher on this project. He elaborated further: “The healing process for chronic injuries involves four critical phases: the initial inflammation stage, followed by vascularization where new blood vessels form, then remodeling of the tissue, and finally full regeneration or closure. Disruptions in oxygen availability at any point during these stages create major obstacles to progress.”
In situations where atmospheric or circulating oxygen fails to permeate sufficiently into the wound bed, a condition known as hypoxia emerges. This oxygen starvation fundamentally disrupts the body’s natural repair mechanisms. The team’s strategy employs a specialized gel to counteract hypoxia, with full details outlined in their recent publication in the journal Communications Materials.
A Miniature On-Site Oxygen Generator
This pliable and adaptable gel incorporates water along with a choline-derived ionic liquid renowned for its antibacterial qualities, lack of toxicity, and excellent compatibility with biological systems. When connected to a compact battery—comparable in size to those powering hearing aids—the gel transforms into a sophisticated electrochemical device. It electrolyzes water molecules, producing a gentle and consistent flow of oxygen over time.
In contrast to conventional therapies that merely supply oxygen to the wound’s exterior, this gel adapts seamlessly to the irregular topography of any given injury. It penetrates into fissures and recesses where oxygen scarcity is most acute and where the danger of infection looms largest. Prior to fully hardening, the gel precisely conforms to the wound’s specific contours, ensuring optimal contact and coverage.
A key advantage lies in the gel’s ability to deliver oxygen uninterrupted over extended periods. Since the vascularization phase alone can span several weeks, sporadic oxygen applications prove insufficient. This advanced system sustains adequate oxygen levels for as long as a month, effectively converting a stalled chronic wound into one that heals akin to an acute injury.
Encouraging Outcomes from Animal Testing
Experiments conducted on mice with diabetes and advanced age—models that closely mimic human chronic wounds in the elderly—yielded impressive findings. Control groups with untreated wounds showed no healing progress, and many succumbed to complications. However, when the oxygen-producing gel patch was applied and refreshed weekly, the wounds achieved complete closure in approximately 23 days, with all subjects surviving the ordeal.
“We envision commercializing this as a patch product, where the gel component could be refreshed at regular intervals as needed,” noted Prince David Okoro, a doctoral candidate in bioengineering under Noshadi’s guidance and a co-author on the study.
Beyond oxygen generation, the gel’s formulation provides supplementary advantages. Choline, a central ingredient, possesses inherent properties that regulate immune responses and mitigate overzealous inflammation. Chronic wounds frequently suffer from an excess of reactive oxygen species—volatile molecules that harm cells and perpetuate inflammatory cycles. The gel counters this by boosting stable oxygen availability while tempering the immune system’s overactivity, thereby reestablishing equilibrium without adding undue strain.
“Existing bandages might soak up exudate or dispense antimicrobial substances,” Okoro observed. “Yet few confront the core issue of hypoxia head-on. Our solution does precisely that, targeting the hypoxia directly and comprehensively.”
Extending Applications: Paving the Way for Organ Cultivation
The potential of this innovation reaches far beyond treating surface wounds. Deficiencies in oxygen and essential nutrients pose significant hurdles in the cultivation of replacement tissues and organs—a core pursuit within Noshadi’s research group.
“As engineered tissues grow thicker, diffusing vital nutrients and oxygen becomes increasingly challenging, leading to cell death,” Noshadi described. “This oxygen-delivery gel serves as a crucial stepping stone toward developing and maintaining larger, viable organ constructs for transplantation in patients who desperately need them.”
While this gel addresses a vital aspect of chronic wound management, certain underlying contributors to their rise remain beyond its direct influence. Escalating diabetes prevalence and population aging are primary drivers, but UC Riverside bioengineer and study co-author Baishali Kanjilal points to additional societal elements.
“Modern sedentary habits are weakening our innate immune defenses,” she remarked. “Addressing these deep-rooted lifestyle and societal issues proves challenging. Nevertheless, this technological breakthrough offers a tangible opportunity to curtail amputation rates, enhance patients’ overall well-being, and equip the body with the resources necessary for self-repair.”
The research findings were detailed in a peer-reviewed article titled “A smart self-oxygenating system for localized and sustained oxygen delivery in bioengineered tissue constructs,” authored by Vaishali Krishnadoss and colleagues, published in Communications Materials in 2026 (DOI: 10.1038/s43246-025-00947-4).
This development not only holds promise for immediate clinical applications in wound care but also lays foundational groundwork for future advancements in regenerative medicine. By tackling hypoxia at its source, the gel could dramatically shift outcomes for millions suffering from non-healing injuries, reducing the burden on healthcare systems and improving life quality on a global scale. Ongoing refinements aim to optimize battery life, gel durability, and integration with existing wound care protocols, ensuring broad accessibility and efficacy.
