Scientific discoveries rarely become medical treatments overnight. Between a promising idea developed in the laboratory and a therapy used in the clinic lies a long process of research, testing and collaboration. Shortening this distance is one of the defining challenges of modern medicine—and the central idea behind BRIDGE (Innovative biomaterials, therapeutics, and non-invasive imaging for regenerative precision medicine of barrier tissues), an interdisciplinary research project led by Prof. Michał Marszałł that aims to build a bridge between fundamental research and clinical applications.
The project brings together scientists and clinicians from diverse fields to develop more precise, less invasive and more effective therapies that improve patients’ quality of life while advancing regenerative medicine. Rather than focusing on a single technology or disease, BRIDGE integrates expertise from chemistry, biology, pharmacy, physics, and medicine into a translational research model, where discoveries made in the laboratory can be developed with future clinical use in mind. — Prof. Marszałł
The team’s work centres on barrier tissues—including the skin, the surface of the eye, and the respiratory epithelium. These tissues form the body’s first line of defence against the external environment, protecting it from external factors. However, in many chronic conditions, including difficult-to-heal wounds, ophthalmic diseases and respiratory disorders, their natural capacity for regeneration is limited. Finding new ways to support this process is one of the project’s primary objectives.
Addressing such complex medical challenges requires more than expertise from a single discipline. BRIDGE combines the discovery of new materials with the development of therapeutic systems and advanced optical imaging technologies. Rather than treating these areas as separate stages of research, the project integrates them into a single framework, allowing therapeutic solutions and diagnostic tools to evolve alongside one another and supporting the translation of research findings into clinical practice.
Among the solutions under development are bioactive dressings and hydrogels designed to support healing and tissue regeneration, as well as innovative drug-delivery systems, including ophthalmic formulations and inhalation therapies. The project also explores new small-molecule compounds as potential active pharmaceutical substances. Together, these complementary research directions reflect the project’s ambition to develop both new therapeutic materials and new approaches to treatment.
An equally important part of BRIDGE focuses on monitoring tissue regeneration. To achieve this, the team is developing optical imaging platforms supported by artificial intelligence, enabling researchers to observe tissue remodelling and regeneration in real time. By combining imaging technologies with AI-based analysis, the project seeks to improve the understanding of regenerative processes while creating tools that can support future diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Innovation within BRIDGE also extends to the way new biomaterials and therapeutic systems are designed and manufactured. The project incorporates technologies such as 3D printing in the development of biomaterials, while the manufacturing process follows the principles of sustainable development and aims to minimise environmental impact. — Prof. Marszałł
In this way, scientific innovation is considered alongside responsible production, reflecting the growing importance of sustainability in biomedical research.
Ultimately, BRIDGE is defined not by a single technology but by the connections it creates. By bringing together specialists from multiple scientific disciplines and linking fundamental discoveries with clinical applications, the project seeks to accelerate the development of regenerative therapies and diagnostic tools. In doing so, it demonstrates that some of the most significant advances in medicine emerge not from individual breakthroughs, but from collaboration that connects ideas, technologies and expertise across traditional disciplinary boundaries.
