The Project

Welcome to ​Milk4WoundCare

The Milk4WoundCare is a project dedicated to developing sustainable ​solutions for the treatment of chronic wounds, such as diabetic ulcers, ​using bioactives extracted from dairy industry waste, such as casein and ​growth factors. By transforming by-products into biomimetic platforms, ​the project aims to accelerate healing and improve the quality of life for ​patients.

In addition to innovating in the health sector, the project has a positive ​environmental impact, promoting the sustainable reuse of dairy waste and ​contributing to the circular economy. Aligned with the Sustainable ​Development Goals (SDGs), Milk4WoundCare aims to create more ​effective and eco-friendly solutions.

The Project

Why chronic ​wounds?

Chronic wounds are injuries that do not follow the normal healing process, ​remaining open for an extended period (usually more than three months).

These wounds are often associated with underlying conditions such as ​diabetes, circulation problems, or infections, and can include pressure ​ulcers, diabetic ulcers, and vascular wounds.

Due to the difficulty in healing, chronic wounds can cause pain, severe ​infections, and a significant reduction in the quality of life of patients, ​requiring specialized treatments and continuous care.

Furthermore, the costs associated with treating these wounds are high, ​placing significant pressure on healthcare systems and the patients' ​families

The Project

What is our course of action?

We develop biomimetic platforms from milk proteins ​extracted from waste, incorporating bioactive agents ​that promote healing and combat infections. We use ​cutting-edge technologies, such as electrospinning and ​3D printing, to create innovative materials that improve ​the treatment of chronic wounds, contributing to a more ​sustainable and effective approach in healthcare.

The Project

Main Activities

Extraction of Proteins and ​Other Bioactives

Proteins, including casein, whey, and growth factors, are extracted from waste generated by the dairy industry through sustainable biotechnological methods.

Development of Biomimetic ​Platforms

Development of materials that ​imitate human tissues by blending ​dairy proteins with biopolymers ​to enhance the healing process of ​persistent wounds.

Functionalization

Incorporating bioactive gents ​such as growth factors and ​antimicrobials into platforms to ​enhance tissue regeneration and ​fight infections.

Safety and Efficacy Trials

Laboratory and in vivo assessment ​of the efficacy of the developed ​materials, guaranteeing safety and ​suitability for clinical application.

The Partners

TThe Milk4WoundCare project involves the collaboration of various ​partners, each playing a crucial role.

The University of Lisbon, through IST, leads the project and ​coordinates the research. CIMPA is responsible for the valorization ​of dairy waste, while Egas Moniz ensures the clinical safety of the ​materials. The University of Minho contributes to the creation of ​innovative structures, and the University of Santiago de Compostela ​brings its expertise in drug delivery. The Institute of Zootechnics (SP-​Brazil) supports with its knowledge in the valorization of dairy by-​products.

The Collaborators

Meet Our Team

Rogerio Colaço (PI)

IST

Raquel Galante (Co-PI)

CIMPA

Ana Paula Serro

EM

Raúl Fangueiro

UM

Carmen Alvarez-Lorenzo

USC

Luiz Roma

IZ -Brazil

Madalena Oom

EM

Fernando Cunha

CIMPA

Pedro Raínho, MSc student

IST

Helena Barroso

EM

Ana Catarina Branco

Postdoctoral Researcher

EM

Diana Nobre, MSc student

IST

Diana Silva

IST

Isabela Sales

Postdoctoral Researcher

U. Minho

Katia Furtado

EM

Rogerio Medeiros

PhD Fellow

CIMPA

Henrique Armés

EM

João Teixiera

Research Fellow

EM

Angel Concheiro

USC

Marta Goncalves,

MSc student

IST

Productions

Publications

Published:

• Galante, R., Cunha, F., & Fangueiro, R. (2023). Book Chapter. Extraction and properties of casein biopolymer from ​milk. In Handbook of Natural Polymers, Volume 1: Sources, Synthesis, and Characterization (pp. 471-487). ​https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-99853-6.00020-6.

• Medeiros, R. (2024), Resíduos de leite como fonte promissora e sustentável de matérias-primas para o tratamento ​de feridas diabéticas. “Açoriano Oriental, Açores Magazine, UAciência”, pp. 6-7. ​http://hdl.handle.net/10400.3/7069
  

Productions

Thesis and Dissertations

COMPLETED

IN PROGRESS

Productions

Others

INTERNSHIPS

Communication

Presentations

Silva, D., Gonçalves, M., Cunha, F., Serro, A. P., & Galante, R. (2024). In vitro ​assessment of PVA/Casein/Chitosan hydrogels enriched with ozonated oils ​and astaxanthin: advancing solutions for chronic wound care. Poster session ​presented at the 15th International Forum on Ulcers and Wounds, Aveiro, ​Portugal, March 15-16.

Silva, D., Rainho, P., Pinto, C. A., Saraiva, J. A., & Serro, A. P. (2024). ​Oxymatrine eluting polyvinyl acrylate/casein dressings for malignant fungating ​wounds management. Poster presented at the 15th International Forum on ​Ulcers and Wounds, Aveiro, Portugal, March 15-16.

Teixeira, J., Lopes, M., Silva, D. C., Oom, M. S., & Serro, A. P. (2024). Bacterial ​cellulose dressings from kombucha tea with casein elution ability. Poster and ​Flash presentation at CQE Days 2024, Lisbon, Portugal, June 18-19. (BEST ​POSTER AWARD)

Silva, D., Rainho, P., Pinto, C. A., Saraiva, J. A., Salema-Oom, M., & Serro, A. P. ​(2024). Polyvinyl acrylate/casein dressings for cancer-related wounds. Poster ​presented at the Controlled Release Society 2024 Annual Meeting & ​Exposition, Bologna, Italy, July 8-12.

Nobre, D., Silva, D., Pais, V., Bessa, J., Oom, M., Cunha, F., Fangueiro, R., ​Galante, R., & Serro, A. P. (2023). Antibacterial/antiseptic wound dressings ​utilizing casein/PVA electrospun nanofibers. Presentation at the 6th ​International Conference on Natural Fibers (ICNF), Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, ​June 19-20.

Communication

Trade Shows and Expos

Communication

CIMPA Visits

Receiving visits from diverse audiences at the CIMPA space is essential ​to expand the reach and impact of the Milk4WoundCare project. These ​visits, which include academics, students, and community leaders, allow ​for a rich exchange of knowledge and foster strategic collaborations. ​Each visit is an opportunity to demonstrate in practice the innovations ​and benefits of the sustainable biomaterials developed, reinforcing the ​project's relevance to the scientific community and industry. ​Furthermore, these meetings enhance the project's visibility, attracting ​interest and support from potential partners and funders, essential for ​the evolution and success of Milk4WoundCare.

• Visit by the President of the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, Luís ​Garcia
• Entrepreneurship Class visit from the University of the Azores.
• Visit by the Technical Agriculture Class from Ribeira Grande Secondary School
• Visit to CHAM Azores – Humanities Center.
• Visit by the Horizon Europe EXPER Project Members.
• Visit to the Vice-Rectory of Science, Innovation, and Knowledge Transfer at the University of the ​Azores.

Scheduled Events

Biomaterial Workshop 5.0

Venue: University of the Azores, Ponta Delgada

Date: October 31, 2024

The Biomateria 5.0 event, organized in partnership with CIMPA ​and the University of the Azores, operates under the motto ​"Guided by Nature, Focused on Health." This workshop fosters ​an in-depth discussion on innovations in biotribology, ​biotechnology, nanotechnology, and controlled drug delivery.

Special Sessions:

Innovation in Biomaterials: Milk proteins for advanced wound ​care - Case study "Milk4WoundCare.

Scheduled Events

European Researchers' Night 2024

Milk4WoundCare is set to take part in the ​European Researchers' Night 2024 on ​September 27th at the Museum of Natural ​History and Science in Lisbon.

Visit our booth at:

CONTACTS