Advancing PBM with nanobiomaterials: From lab to life

Diabetic wounds remain a major global healthcare burden, characterized by impaired healing and a high susceptibility to infection. Conventional treatment strategies often fail to address the complexity of these wounds, creating an urgent need for advanced therapeutic approaches. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBM) has emerged as a safe, non-invasive modality capable of accelerating tissue repair and modulating inflammation. Concurrently, biopolymers (polysaccharides, proteins, and nucleic acids) and nanoparticles (gold, silver, solid lipid nanoparticles, and cerium oxide nanoparticles) offer exceptional biocompatibility, biodegradability, and the ability to mimic the extracellular matrix, making them attractive candidates for wound healing scaffolds. At the Laser Research Centre (LRC), we are developing composite biomaterials that integrate biopolymers with functional nanoparticles to augment the therapeutic potential of PBM in diabetic wound healing. These platforms aim to combine antibacterial protection, stimulation of fibroblast proliferation, and improve the healing rate. Preliminary in vitro investigations using human fibroblast cells (WS1) exposed to PBM revealed enhanced wound closure and antimicrobial efficacy. These findings highlight the promise of biopolymer nanoparticle systems as synergistic enhancers of PBM, offering a pathway toward advanced clinical interventions for chronic diabetic wounds, including diabetic foot ulcers.

Prof. Sathish Sundar Dhilip Kumar is an NRF C2-rated researcher and academic specializing in nanobiotechnology. Currently, he is working as a senior lecturer and researcher at the Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, South Africa. His research focuses on the innovative application of nanobiomaterials in photobiomodulation therapy for wound healing and photodynamic therapy for cancer. He has made significant contributions to both research and academia, with a robust portfolio of publications in international peer-reviewed journals (h-index of 22, i10 index 29, and >2100 citations) and presentations at numerous prestigious conferences. He is recognized for his exceptional skills in research and teaching, exemplified by his commitment to fostering academic excellence. Dr. Dhilip Kumar’s dedication to advancing the field is further demonstrated through active involvement in professional organizations, including the Royal Society of Biology, American Chemical Society, South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP), and the International Association of Advanced Materials.