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Exploring Cellular Dysfunction and Therapeutic Targets in Diabetic Wound Healing: Tackiling a Hidden Disease Burden in East London

Code: BC-DTP_2026_36

Title: Exploring Cellular Dysfunction and Therapeutic Targets in Diabetic Wound Healing: Tackiling a Hidden Disease Burden in East London

Primary Supervisor: Matthew Caley

Email: m.caley@qmul.ac.uk

Institute: Blizard Institute

Secondary Supervisor: Emanuel Rognoni

Email: e.rognoni@qmul.ac.uk

Institute: Blizard Institute

Lay Summary:

Diabetes is a long-term condition that affects how the body processes sugar. One serious complication of diabetes is slow or poor wound healing, especially in the feet. This can lead to infections, ulcers, and in severe cases, amputations. These problems not only cause pain and disability but also increase the risk of hospital admissions and reduce quality of life. Tower Hamlets has one of the highest rates of diabetes in the UK, with many people from communities that are more likely to develop complications. Social and economic challenges in the area can make it harder for people to access care and manage their condition. This means diabetic wounds are a major health concern locally.

Our research aims to understand how wounds heal in people with diabetes and find better ways to support healing. We will identify plant-based compounds that are able to speed up diabetic wound healing as a cost-effective alternative for managing diabetic wounds. By better understanding the disease, we can improve treatment and prevention, reduce infections, avoid amputations, and help people live healthier lives. This will also ease pressure on local hospitals and healthcare services.

Aims:

Aim-1. Characterise cellular dysfunction and inflammatory cytokine secretion in diabetic wound healing using primary human cells (keratinocytes, fibroblasts).

Aim-2. Screen plant-based compound library to identify compounds able to positively alter cellular behaviour.

Aim-3. Develop and utilize 3D skin equivalents to model diabetic wound environments and test interventions.

Aim-4. Validate findings in diabetic mouse models to assess systemic and tissue-level responses.

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