Our Research
Funding innovation in burns, wound healing and reconstructive surgery
The Blond McIndoe Research Foundation has been at the forefront of great scientific discovery for over half a century. We fund groundbreaking research into burns and wound healing and techniques and technologies that will repair, restore and regenerate tissue and reduce debilitating scarring.
Photo by kind permission of The East Grinstead Museum
From Pioneering Surgery to
Modern Science
The roots of our research go right back to the Second World War, when Sir Archibald McIndoe challenged existing ways of treating the burns suffered by RAF airmen.
He revolutionised treatment, plastic-surgery techniques and rehabilitation — and in doing so inspired the creation of the Blond McIndoe Research Foundation, which now carries on his pioneering work.
Our early successes included fundamental research into immunological mechanisms, which led to world firsts such as:
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the first ever heart transplant,
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the first example of cultured skin cells combined with artificial skin, and
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the first knee operation using cultured cartilage cells with grafts of cartilage.
Over the years, our work has advanced understanding in graft rejection, the use of amnion in wound healing and nerve repair, while more recent innovations include sprayed skin cells for children’s burns and new biomaterials to reconstruct damaged tissue.
Our Focus Today
Our current priorities are advancing burns and wound healing through techniques and technologies that aim to repair, restore and regenerate tissue and reduce scarring.
We identify and support young, exceptionally talented trainees and consultants whose research could make a significant difference to surgical outcomes.
How We Select Projects
We are in a unique position to identify high-potential research because of our partnership with The Royal College of Surgeons of England, who help select projects with real promise.
Through our Board members we have expert insight into which projects are most worthy of support and most likely to impact surgical practice and patient care.
