Page 142 - SAMRC Annual Report 2023-24

Wound Healing and Keloid
Scarring Research Unit

Unit director:
Prof. Nonhlanhla P Khumalo

Prioritising responsive research (1) Development of the first cell line in keloid
through impactful interventions disease; (2) Identification and validation of unique
gene, protein and metabolite keloid biomarkers;
The strategic purpose of the Wound and Keloid (3) Creation and validation of keloid spheroids for
Scarring Translational Research Unit lies in in vitro drug testing; (4) Development, optimisation
addressing the pressing research and development and validation of human acellular skin substitutes;
needs within South Africa, particularly in the realm of and (5) Evaluation of wound healing properties of
skin repair, healing, and regeneration. indigenous South African plants with early-phase
studies have been initiated.
Our proposed translational research programme
aims to establish a centre of excellence dedicated Equitable capacity development
to advancing knowledge and innovations in these
critical areas. At the core of our programme is a for empowering communities
focus on elucidating the fundamental mechanisms The impact of our research programme on addressing
underlying skin healing and scarring, with specific the challenges faced by South Africa is significant
attention given to hypertrophic and keloid scar and multifaceted. Our focus on proteo-metabolo-
formation. By delving into these processes, we seek genomic, molecular, and cellular investigations
to uncover new therapeutic targets and biomarkers specifically targets abnormal wound healing,
that can revolutionise the detection, prevention, and notably keloid disease, which disproportionately
treatment of abnormal wound healing, particularly affects individuals of African ancestry. By delving
in pigmented human skin. Moreover, our objectives into the underlying mechanisms of these conditions,
extend beyond basic research to encompass we aim to identify potential treatment targets that
education, training, and clinical management can be translated from bench to bedside, ultimately
in the fields of abnormal wound healing, skin benefiting patients.
regeneration, and scar management. By nurturing
expertise and disseminating knowledge, we aim to Since the establishment of the Hair and Skin Research
empower healthcare professionals and researchers (HSR) Laboratory at the Division of Dermatology in
alike to address the complex challenges posed by UCT in 2015, our translational research approach has
skin repair and regeneration. Our research unit's yielded promising results. Through innovative study
strategic purpose is deeply rooted in the urgent designs utilising various models of wound healing,
need to advance understanding and capabilities in including in silico, in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo
skin repair and regeneration, thereby contributing models, we have developed unique scar models
significantly to the research and development and advanced our understanding of skin biology,
landscape of South Africa. tissue regeneration, and fibrosis. This research not
only addresses critical gaps in knowledge but also
Over the 2023/24 reporting period, our highlights has practical implications for improving patient care
and breakthroughs include: and quality of life.

140 SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2023-24