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Skin and Mucosal Delivery (Focus Group – SMD)

Hydrogel containing liposomal enzyme microreactors for molecular diagnostics in diabetic foot ulcers

Simon Matoori – Assistant professor, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal
Introduction: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are a serious diabetes complication linked to high rates of amputation and mortality. Current DFU diagnostics rely on visual assessments such as wound depth and signs of infection; however, this approach does not consider the complexity of the ulcer and does not provide information regarding its molecular state1. Overexpression of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contributes to the non-healing state of DFUs2. While hydrogels are widely used for drug delivery, they can be repurposed for diagnostic applications. Therefore, we are developing a hydrogel with liposomal microreactors to monitor H2O2 levels in wound fluids.

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the limitations of visual-based ulcer monitoring and the need for molecular-level diagnostics
  • Explain how vesicular reactors can enable sensitive and selective in situ detection of biomarkers in wound fluids
  • Explain how delivery systems like liposomes and hydrogels can be repurposed for diagnostic applications.