AU Leads Stem Cell Healing Breakthrough

Chronic wounds—resulting from diabetes, burns, and vascular conditions—represent a growing global health crisis, affecting millions and straining healthcare systems worldwide. The urgent need for effective, accessible, and less invasive treatments has placed regenerative medicine at the forefront of medical innovation.

In response to this challenge, Dr. Ibrahim El Serafi, Associate Professor and Head of the Basic Medical Sciences Department at the College of Medicine, Ajman University, has been awarded the Thumbay International Research Grant 2025 to lead a groundbreaking project on skin regeneration and wound healing.

His research explores the potential of epigenetic compounds—Vorinostat and CID1067700—to stimulate the differentiation of stem cells into keratinocytes, the key cells responsible for skin formation. The aim: to develop a topical, non-surgical therapy and personalized skin grafts for patients suffering from chronic, non-healing wounds.

The project has far-reaching implications for personalized and regenerative medicine, offering a viable alternative to traditional skin grafting procedures, which often involve donor sites, risk of infection, and limited availability.

Through rigorous in vitro and in vivo studies, the project will assess therapeutic efficacy, genotoxic safety, and clinical applicability. If successful, it could lay the foundation for next-generation treatments for wounds caused by diabetes, trauma, and vascular diseases.

In partnership with Gulf Medical University (UAE) and Linköping University (Sweden), this project exemplifies Ajman University’s strategic focus on translational research and global collaboration. It reinforces the University's growing reputation as a regional leader in advancing health sciences and biomedical innovation.

This milestone reflects Ajman University’s commitment as a non-profit institution to advancing impactful research that addresses real-world challenges. By nurturing scientific inquiry and fostering strategic partnerships, AU continues to align with national and global priorities—contributing to a more sustainable, healthier future.