# On Demand Dissoluble Supramolecular Hydrogels: Towards Pain Free Burn Dressings

> **NIH NIH R01** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2024 · $468,627

## Abstract

Abstract
This proposal describes the synthesis, characterization, and thorough evaluation of the first
supramolecular hybrid hydrogel burn dressing. Our design goals are a) on-demand dissolubility -for easy
trauma-free removal from burn wound-, b) integrated antimicrobial activity - for infection management-,
and c) self-healing – for problem-free application and use. Burn injuries are one of the most prevalent,
devastating, and demanding critical care problems, worldwide. Nearly every minute, someone in the US
sustains a serious burn injury, and each day over 300 children visit emergency rooms and 2 of them die
due to burn injuries. Millions, globally, suffer from burn-related disabilities with heavy psychological,
emotional, and economic consequences on the survivors and their families. Burn dressing removal is
reportedly the time of most pain (after the burn itself), and opioids are the primary treatment for such
pain. The burn dressing change for a typical injury with intensive care unit level care is at least 57.6
minutes. The time and complexity of the process further grow with the frequently applied anesthesia.
Importantly, repeated painful dressing changes and wound infection cause a higher predisposition to life-
threatening sepsis and multi-organ failure. Currently available burn dressings – used clinically – adhere
to the wound surface and are surgically or mechanically debrided from the wound. This results in the
traumatization of newly epithelialized tissues, delayed healing and severe pain. We, thus, propose to
create a supramolecular hybrid hydrogel combining the host-guest chemistry (cucurbituril [7]-hosted
cationic copolymer) with inorganic components (i.e., clay) (Aim1). The unique feature of this hydrogel will
be its high biocompatibility and ability to be dissolved on-demand via adamantane/diamantane
derivatives, easily and quickly removed and eliminate debridement. This will reduce extreme pain and
suffering (by drastically reducing time of pain). The proposed hydrogel will also be embedded with
antibiotics to reduce bacterial infection. We will test this hydrogel through both in vitro (mouse and human
cells, Aim 2) and in vivo (mouse, Aim 3) and preclinical (swine, Aim 3) experiments. Overall, our goal is
to promote better burn wound healing, deter infection and provide pain-free burn care for patients, in line
with the mission of NIAMS. This project falls under the umbrella of regenerative medicine (wound healing,
tissue repair, regeneration) and treatment of large-area acute skin wounds (burns and trauma)
highlighted in the NIAMS Strategic Plan for FY 2020-2024. The project also focuses on a) improving the
patient experience (reducing pain), and b) treating co-occuring conditions of burn wounds and infections,
two focus areas of NIAMS.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10815793
- **Project number:** 5R01AR081529-02
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Ayse Asatekin
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $468,627
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-04-01 → 2027-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10815793

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10815793, On Demand Dissoluble Supramolecular Hydrogels: Towards Pain Free Burn Dressings (5R01AR081529-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10815793. Licensed CC0.

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