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Hello there, 

The Angiogenesis Foundation was proud to take the stage at this year’s Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) 2025, where our Scientific Director and COO Dr. Vincent Li shared the latest innovations in using the body’s own fat to help wounds heal.

What was the Talk About?

Exploring Bioinks and Adipose Grafting for the Next Generation of Soft Tissue Repair

Dr. Li and colleagues explored how adipose tissue (fat), long considered just “extra weight”, is actually packed with cells that can help wounds heal and stimulate new blood vessel growth (angiogenesis).

When adipose tissue (fat) is processed, it can be separated into what’s called a stromal vascular fraction (SVF). This mixture contains stem and progenitor cells that can multiply and support repair, along with signaling factors and structural proteins that guide healing. Researchers can then mix SVF into a gel-like substance called a bioink. Applied with 3D bioprinting, a technology that prints living materials in precise shapes, this bioink can be molded to fit the exact contours of a wound. The end product gives the wound both the building blocks and the signals it needs to grow new blood vessels and accelerate healing.

Key Highlights from the Session

• Fat as a resource: Fat contains 100–500x more reparative cells than other tissues, and these cells retain their healing potential even as we age.

• Processing matters: Micronizing, or breaking fat into tiny particles, enriches it with regenerative components that may improve growth factor activity.

• 3D printing at the bedside: With AI-guided wound mapping, clinicians can design patient-specific grafts that fit the exact shape of a wound.

• Real-world results: Case studies of diabetic foot ulcers, radiation injury, and venous leg ulcers showed wounds beginning to close when standard care was combined with adipose bioink grafts.

Why It Matters

• Healing from within: The body’s own fat is an abundant source of regenerative cells that can help repair damaged tissue.

• Restarting stalled wounds: Angiogenesis, or the growth of new blood vessels, is often the missing piece for wounds that refuse to heal.

• Personalized medicine: 3D bioprinting makes it possible to design therapies that fit the unique shape and needs of each wound.

• Innovation with caution: Early results are promising, but more research is needed to understand who benefits most and how to apply this technology safely. While fat can play a protective role in healing, too much body fat is still a health risk, especially as we age.

Real-World Impact

Real-world cases showed how this approach, alongside standard treatments like debridement and compression, helped stubborn wounds begin to close. These advances suggest that turning something as ordinary as body fat into a precision therapy could reshape wound care and offer new hope for patients with non-healing wounds grounded in science and angiogenesis.

At the same time, it is important to remember that too much adipose tissue remains a health concern. This research instead points to the concept of “protective fat,” where small amounts may play a beneficial role in healing, particularly in aging populations.

Stay connected with us to receive the latest on evidence-based research, advancements in healthcare, and practical tips.

Best wishes,
- The Angiogenesis Foundation

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