Growing skin in a laboratory might sound like science fiction, but it’s now science fact. With generous support from donors like you, the RAH Burns Service can bring this treatment to all South Australians – and to the world.

Recovery from a major burn is a long, arduous journey. Patients can experience incredible pain, risk of infection and multi-organ shutdown. They may need to be intubated, have intravenous nutrition or be placed in an induced coma. After enduring the painful removal of burnt skin, weeks of dressing, redressing, and difficulty mobilising, patients prepare for skin grafting. Alongside this is the immense psychological impact on patients and their families including the potential loss of home, family, career or way of life.

“Patients recovering from major burns are already using all their reserves to recover, and enduring more pain from skin grafting adds greater burden to their recovery,” said Associate Professor Marcus Wagstaff, Head of Unit, SA Adult Burns Service.

“Now we have a new alternative to skin grafting; the ability to grow large sheets of composite, cultured skin from a skin biopsy, up to 20 cm square. The process has already been proven successful through the recovery of a patient who suffered a 95% burns injury,” he explains.

Click here to help change to future for burn victims

In this new process, pioneered in Adelaide, burns are initially covered by a foam-like material that acts as a foundation for skin growth. Meanwhile, cells collected from a skin biopsy are multiplied into millions using a cell expander and bioreactor, carefully overseen by a PhD student, to create composite skin.

“To do this at scale, we urgently need community funding. We know we can grow new skin in a matter of three weeks, but only with more equipment and an expanded team. This is no longer science fiction – it’s science fact and will revolutionise burns recovery across the world.”

You can change the future of burns treatment and recovery

Thank you. Your generosity will change lives.