Skin & wound repair

Skin & wound repair

Skin & wound repair

Skin & Wound Repair

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The skin is the body’s largest organ and first line of defense against injury and infection—but when it’s damaged, the consequences can be devastating. Each year, thousands of Canadians are hospitalized with severe burns, and chronic wounds affect up to 2% of the population, particularly those with diabetes or limited mobility. For individuals with rare genetic disorders like epidermolysis bullosa, even gentle friction can cause painful, life-threatening wounds.

Regenerative medicine is offering new solutions. Researchers supported by the Stem Cell Network are using cell and gene therapies and tissue engineering to grow healthy, personalized skin, repair chronic wounds, and restore the body’s natural healing function. These advances could reduce the $3.9-billion annual burden of wound care in Canada and dramatically improve quality of life for patients. From 2016–2028, SCN has invested over $4 million to advance next-generation therapies that rebuild skin and resilience from the inside out.

Dr. Lucie Germain, Laval University, Quebec

Cycle 5, Round 1: Clinical Trial Awardee Combining Gene Therapy and Tissue Engineering to Treat RDEB, a Rare Skin Disorder

Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is a rare but devastating genetic skin disorder affecting 300–500 Canadians. Caused by a lack of collagen VII—a critical protein that acts like a “glue” between skin layers—RDEB leads to fragile skin, chronic wounds, and in some cases, aggressive skin cancer, which is a major cause of death. Current treatments are palliative, involving costly and painful bandage changes that offer little long-term relief.

Dr. Germain’s team is leading a groundbreaking Phase I/II clinical trial at CHU de Québec-Université Laval. Their approach combines gene therapy and tissue engineering to create permanent skin substitutes from a patient’s own cells. These lab-grown skin grafts are genetically corrected to restore collagen VII production and are being tested as a durable, healing solution for RDEB wounds. If successful, this therapy could significantly improve quality of life for RDEB patients and reduce the physical, emotional, and financial toll on families and the healthcare system.

“For people with RDEB, even the slightest friction can cause painful skin wounds that are very hard to heal. By combining gene therapy with tissue-engineered skin, we hope to offer a lasting solution—one that not only restores their skin but also their dignity and quality of life.”

Dr. Lucie Germain, Université Laval, Quebec

Cycle 5, Round 1: Impact Award Gene-Corrected Lab-Grown Skin to Treat a Rare and Fatal Blistering Disease

Junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB) is a rare and life-threatening genetic skin disorder that causes infants to be born with fragile skin prone to painful blisters and open wounds. There is currently no cure—patients must rely on protective bandages, and many and many have a shorter lifetime expectancy.

Building on their clinical trial success with another similar skin disease, Dr. Lucie Germain’s team is working on a groundbreaking new approach: growing healthy, personalized skin in the lab for JEB patients using their own genetically corrected cells.

The goal is to graft this corrected skin onto wounds, offering long-term healing and relief. The team has already enrolled a patient, built a biobank of their cells, and is now testing the mechanical strength and function of the skin substitute in the lab. If successful, this could be the first step toward a lasting treatment for children living with this devastating condition.

“We’re working to give children with JEB strong, healthy skin—and a chance at a longer, better life. By combining gene therapy with tissue engineering, we hope to create a safe and lasting treatment that addresses the root cause of this devastating disease, not just the symptoms.”