Development of a two-layered hyaluronic acid hydrogel system for treatment of chronic wounds
Introduction
Research Area:
Chronic wounds/ Diabetes foot ulcer
What is the research about?
We believe that including Patient Public Involvement (PPI) in this research will significantly improve the materials usability. Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) affect millions of people each year and developing a potential treatment for this diseases requires input from people who have direct experience living with it, caring for someone who has developed on or treated patients with them. Specifically, we will aim to improve the ease of application, usability and address practical challenges together. Every suggestion from a PPI contributor will help shape and improve the project as the end goal is to develop a hydrogel which can be used by the people who require it. Â
What will involvement involve?Â
The PPI contributors will meet online with the researchers around 3 times a year for 1-2 hours and get period updates via email with any changes to the project and overall progress between the meetings. In the online meetings we will discuss the data up to date and give PPI contributors the opportunity to comment on the research from their perspective. Additionally, we will review materials together and address any concerns that arise. Together with the PPI contributors we will look for solutions and ways to improve the project. We are looking forward to hear other point of views on the hydrogel to improve the material we are developing. Â
Who are we looking for?Â
We are looking for people who live in Ireland, are 18 years or older and speak and understand English. As the first meeting will be an in-person laboratory visit in the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin the participants will ideally be from the greater Dublin area. We will arrange a specific date for this meeting after establishing the panel to ensure the date suits everybody. Travel related costs will be paid back to all participants in form of a voucher. We are looking for people who can stay on with the project for 2.5 years all the way until it is finished. Specifically, we are interested in assembling a 6 member panel which will include a patient with a DFU, caretaker for someone with a DFU, person with professional experience with DFU. The participants do not need previous research or PPI experience, we will go through everything in our first meeting and can offer individual meetings if anyone has more questions. Â
We are looking to assemble the panel by 1st of December 2026, in case of interest please reach out to Martina Konecna at martinakonecna25@rcsi.com.Â
Opportunity for:
Involvement Opportunity Details
Time
Time commitment:
Meetings will be held exclusively online three times a year for 60-90 minutes except the first meeting which will be a in-person lab visit in Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (118 St. Stephens Green) giving us the opportunity to get to know each other.
Contact between meetings:
Short progress updates including any changes to the project and main results will be sent via email, any feedback from panel members is appreciated and valued.
Length of involvement:
We are looking for members who can stay on for two and a half years with the project, we are open to shorter commitments too.
Start date for involvement:
01/12/2026
Logistics Â
Where?
If online, explain how:
Three times a year we will have an online meeting which will be scheduled in advance to suit everybody. During these workshops discussion about the project will take place in addition to updates from the researchers and discussion of any issues. There will be space to provide feedback and discuss the project with the purpose of improving its usability.
If in person, explain where:
The first meeting will be an in-person laboratory visit, this will provide the opportunity to get to know each other and provide a unique opportunity to see the laboratory work in action helping with visualising the project at hand by demonstrating some of the key steps involved.
Other ways of communicating:
communicating via WhatsApp we can try to arrange this / Contact between meetings will be carried out by email. If any contributor prefers
Funding available for:
If no funding available, explain why:
Not applicable
Other Information
Stage of the research study/ programme:
Research started
Is this opportunity for PPI in a PhD:
Yes
Closing date to contact researchers:
15/11/2026
Research Team
Contact person:
Martina Konecna
University/organisation:
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Contact email:
martinakonecna25@rcsi.com
Researcher background:
Tissue Engineering
Research funder:
Health Research Board (HRB)
Photo:
Interested in this PPI Opportunity?
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