The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) in Dublin, RCSI Medical University of Bahrain, and the Royal Medical Services have announced the successful advancement of a joint research project aimed at improving wound healing through the development of an innovative biomaterial and a new medical device.

This research partnership was carried out under the leadership of Brigadier (Dr) Fahad bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Commander of the Royal Medical Services; Professor Stephen Atkin, Head of the School of Postgraduate Studies and Research at RCSI Medical University of Bahrain; and Professor Fergal O’Brien, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation and Head of the Tissue Engineering Research Group at RCSI in Dublin. The collaboration has achieved promising pre-clinical results in developing a novel biomaterial that accelerates wound healing.

The project brought together clinical and scientific expertise from Bahrain and Ireland, led by Professor Michael Keogh, Associate Professor in Human Biology and Head of the Tissue Engineering Research Group at RCSI Medical University of Bahrain, and Dr. Mohammed Al Muharraqi, Director of the RCSI–RMS Research Collaboration and Director of the Crown Prince Centre for Training & Medical Research. They were supported by Dr. Martin Maresch, Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon at the Royal Medical Services, and a team of eleven research and medical specialists. The team successfully developed and demonstrated a biomaterial that enhances tissue repair by improving blood vessel formation and reducing scarring, resulting in better healing compared with traditional clinical dressings. Pre-clinical results showed that the biomaterial integrates effectively with surrounding tissue and promotes more complete healing in elderly and diabetic patients.

The most recent phase of the team’s work supported the DocLeaf project, which focuses on developing a medical device for treating chronic wounds and received €1 million in research funding from Enterprise Ireland. The device aims to address localised tissue hypoxia and stimulate the body’s natural repair mechanisms, achieving faster and more sustainable healing. Over the past 18 months, the project has progressed from an initial concept developed at RCSI in Dublin to the first in vivo study at the RMS Crown Prince Centre for Training & Medical Research in Bahrain.

Dr. Mohammed Al Muharraqi said: "The progress achieved in the DocLeaf project stands as a testament to our expertise in advanced biomedical research and highlights the growing role of the Kingdom of Bahrain in pioneering medical research that addresses global health challenges."

Professor Sameer Otoom, President of RCSI Medical University of Bahrain, added: "This initiative demonstrates the strength of our international research collaborations and our commitment to improving health outcomes through scientific discovery. We aim to translate these results into practical solutions that directly enhance patient care."

Professor Fergal O’Brien said: "I am very grateful to the team in Bahrain for their commitment to advancing the DocLeaf project. Enterprise Ireland have expressed their appreciation for the quality and impact of our joint research, and I am confident in our collective ability to lead advanced research projects between Ireland and Bahrain."

Chronic wounds are an increasing global concern, with diabetic patients particularly at risk of non-healing ulcers and related infections. This partnership represents a strategic step within Bahrain’s healthcare innovation ecosystem, strengthening its position as a regional hub for applied and pre-clinical research.

The joint research aims to improve healing of diabetic wounds, venous leg ulcers, and chronic wounds, and support skin regeneration by accelerating tissue repair and achieving better healing outcomes. These advances have the potential to enhance patient recovery, prevent infection, preserve limbs, and improve quality of life for patients with diabetic foot ulcers and other chronic wounds.

The team anticipates that this research will lead to the establishment of a new start-up in 2026, paving the way for commercialising the technology and integrating it into clinical applications.