Smartwound dressings spot infection early

Within seconds of an injury to our skin, bacteria begin to colonise the wound. Most minor wounds still heal as the skin and tissues underneath repair themselves. But if a wound becomes infected, inflammation and tissue damage will slow the healing process and lead to severe problems if not treated rapidly.

Toby Jenkins and colleagues at the University of Bath have developed a technology to help healthcare staff detect infection early; by harnessing bacterial toxins as a warning system.