Wound Infection
Wound infection capability focuses on rapid identification, prevention, and treatment of infected acute and chronic wounds in combat and austere settings. It prioritizes biofilm disruption, therapeutics against multidrug-resistant organisms, point-of-care diagnostics, topical and systemic strategies, and infection-resistant dressings.
Technical Challenges
Biofilm formation on wounds that protects pathogens and reduces antibiotic efficacy
Rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among common wound pathogens including MDR Gram-negatives
Polytrauma and blast injuries with contaminated tissue complicating source control
Delayed evacuation and prolonged field care limiting access to advanced surgical debridement
Inadequate rapid, field-deployable diagnostics to distinguish colonization from invasive infection
Emerging Opportunities
Point-of-care, quantitative diagnostics that detect pathogen load, resistance markers, and biofilm activity
Topical and systemic therapeutics with efficacy against biofilms and MDR organisms and suitable for austere use
Dressing and device technologies that prevent infection, release antimicrobials in a controlled fashion, and support healing
Decision-support tools and telemedicine workflows that guide antimicrobial stewardship during prolonged-field care
Validated DoD-relevant clinical models and outcome metrics for rapid translation and regulatory pathways
Current and Emerging Technologies in Wound Infection
Rapid molecular and microfluidic diagnostics
Point-of-care PCR, isothermal assays, and lab-on-chip devices that detect pathogen species, resistance genes, and virulence markers in minutes to hours.
Biosensors and wearable wound monitors
Electrochemical and optical sensors embedded in dressings to monitor pH, protease activity, bacterial metabolites, and early signs of infection for remote monitoring.
Antimicrobial and biofilm-disrupting dressings
Next-generation dressings using sustained-release antibiotics, silver/iodine formulations, enzymes, or peptides designed to penetrate biofilms and support tissue repair.
Alternative antimicrobials and biologics
Bacteriophages, antimicrobial peptides, and immune-modulating biologics that target resistant organisms and reduce reliance on conventional antibiotics.
Enzymatic and mechanical biofilm disruption
Topical enzymes, surfactants, and novel debridement technologies that break down extracellular polymeric substances to restore antibiotic susceptibility.
Telemedicine, AI, and decision support
Remote wound assessment platforms, image analysis, and clinical decision algorithms to guide antibiotic choice, debridement timing, and evacuation prioritization.
Importance to Military Medicine
Combat casualty care and force survival
Rapid infection control reduces sepsis risk and secondary morbidity from contaminated blast and penetrating injuries.
Prolonged and austere field care
Diagnostics and therapeutics that work without laboratory infrastructure preserve casualty outcomes during delayed evacuation and distributed operations.
Readiness and force health protection
Preventing wound infections maintains operational readiness and reduces long-term disability and healthcare burden.
Civilian and humanitarian impact
Solutions translate to civilian trauma, surgical-site infection prevention, and chronic wound management in resource-limited settings.
Alignment with the MTEC Mission
Directly supports DoD priorities: combat casualty care, force readiness, and protection against biological threats.
Advances diagnostics and therapeutics that accelerate translation from laboratory to field—aligned with MTEC’s focus on rapid real-world deployment.
Enables cross-disciplinary programs spanning infectious disease, trauma, regenerative medicine, and prolonged care portfolios.
Supports dual-use outcomes that strengthen civilian health systems while meeting military operational requirements.
Dual-Use (Military + Civilian) Applications
Frontline and point-of-injury diagnostics to triage and guide immediate antimicrobial or debridement decisions.
Prolonged-field-care therapeutics and dressings that maintain infection control during delayed evacuation.
Clinical decision-support and telemedicine integration for remote wound monitoring and antimicrobial stewardship.
Civilian deployment in disaster response, hospital infection prevention, and chronic wound clinics.
Explore MTEC Members with Wound Infection Capabilities
MTEC members bring multidisciplinary expertise—infectious disease, trauma surgery, biomaterials, diagnostics, and regulatory science—to accelerate translation of wound infection solutions.
The consortium model enables rapid funding mechanisms, access to DoD clinical sites, and pathways for real-world testing in relevant operational environments.
Members contribute novel technologies, manufacturing scale-up, and clinical trial capacity—bridging academic innovation and industry development for both military and civilian impact.
Explore MTEC member profiles to identify collaborators with capabilities in rapid diagnostics, antimicrobial development, biofilm science, and telehealth-enabled wound care.
139 Members with Wound Infection capabilities.
The University of Texas System is a leading public university system in the United States, dedicated to improving lives through education, health care, and research. With over 256,000 students enrolled across 14 institutions, the UT System is committed to providing affordable access to higher education and producing a skilled workforce to drive Texas's economy.
Georgia Southern University is a vibrant institution with over 26,100 students across three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, and Hinesville. The university offers 132 degree programs at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate levels, emphasizing student success, community impact, and research excellence. With a commitment to inclusivity and engagement, Georgia Southern fosters a supportive environment for diverse learners, including military-affiliated and adult students. The university is dedicated to transforming lives through education and community engagement, aligning its programs with regional needs. Additionally, Georgia Southern provides accelerated pathways for students to fast-track their master's degrees, enhancing educational opportunities. The university also emphasizes career readiness and public impact research, preparing students for successful careers and contributing to community development.
FiteBac Technology/FiteBac Pharma's K21 uniquely targets the underlying disease state, given that most diseases involve microbial-associated inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction. FiteBac Technology innovations stem from the work of numerous international academic research scientists. FiteBac Pharma K21 is the blockbuster antimicrobial small molecule designed to modulate biological, immunological, and metabolic systems for treating a wide range of infectious and inflammatory diseases. This patented drug substance has demonstrated the ability to safely eliminate bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, enhance innate immunity, induce mitophagy while improving mitochondrial and cellular metabolism, accelerate wound healing, and even promote the development of zebrafish and chickens, leading to increased adult mass. Rigorous research from Dr. Bhupesh Prusty's laboratory and Dr Christopher Rongo's laboratory is focused on various aspects of mitochondrial remodeling and reprograming, as well as mitochondrial-to-nuclear signaling with K21.
STAT Therapeutics is focused on developing a drug- device combination for easy, rapid administration of intramuscular, life-saving medications by users in any setting, aiming to improve access and usability for acute emergency treatments such as pain, anaphylaxis, and seizures.
Armata Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to developing pathogen-specific bacteriophage therapeutics to combat antibiotic-resistant and difficult-to-treat bacterial infections. With a focus on addressing the global antibiotic resistance crisis, Armata leverages its proprietary bacteriophage-based technology to develop high-impact, best-in-class phage therapeutics. The company operates from a 56,000 square foot facility in Los Angeles, California, equipped for phage product development from bench to clinic. Armata's team of microbiologists and scientists work on discovering natural phages and enhancing them through synthetic biology and engineering to create tailored drug products for clinical trials.
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research, teaching, and community engagement. As a premier public research university, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a catalyst for socioeconomic development, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
SolasCure is dedicated to transforming chronic wound care through innovative therapeutic solutions. The company is at the forefront of developing Aurase Wound Gel, a breakthrough enzymatic debrider designed to return chronic wounds to healing. SolasCure aims to shift the paradigm in wound care by providing high-impact, safe, and effective treatments that address the underlying causes of wounds rather than just managing symptoms. With a strong focus on research and development, SolasCure is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of patients worldwide.
Auburn University Research & Economic Development is dedicated to advancing research and economic growth through a collaborative effort among its various colleges and departments. The organization focuses on fostering innovation, supporting faculty and student research, and facilitating partnerships with industry and government to address societal challenges and enhance the quality of life. Recent initiatives include the launch of the Team Science Series to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of the Gulf Coast Engineering Research Station to address coastal environmental challenges.
SERDA Therapeutics is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative solutions for wound care, particularly in the treatment of burn injuries and chronic ulcers. The company aims to provide fast and effective therapeutic debridement through its proprietary enzymatic product, SN514, which is designed to enhance healing by selectively removing necrotic tissue.
Ethos Solutions specializes in rapid problem solving in dynamic environments through the Ethos IDEALs (Identification, Define, Engagement, Alignment, and Leveraging). Ethos leverages module working groups (or cells) consisting of Subject Matter Expert (SMEs) clinicians, training cadre, warriors, academics, and researchers able to rapidly identify and solve problem sets that require a grounded approach forged in austere and dynamic environments.
The Institute for Integrative & Innovative Research (I3R) at the University of Arkansas is dedicated to pioneering solutions to complex societal challenges through convergence research. With a mission to advance research excellence and stimulate economic development, I3R focuses on deploying innovations at scale through collaboration across various sectors, including academia, industry, and government.
UTMB is dedicated to supporting research, education, and scholarly endeavors, with a focus on creating the future of healthcare through innovative research and community engagement.
The University of Queensland (UQ) is one of Australia's leading research and teaching institutions, dedicated to transforming lives through education and research. UQ aims to create a better future by equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary for their chosen careers, while also addressing some of the world's most complex challenges through innovative research.
The University of Chicago is a prestigious urban research university committed to rigorous inquiry and intellectual freedom. Founded in 1890, it has produced numerous Nobel laureates and is known for its transformative education and groundbreaking research across various fields. The university fosters an inclusive and diverse learning environment, encouraging participation from all community members.
MendaCel, Inc is pioneering the future of wound care with its proprietary device, MendaCel™, which integrates proven treatment modalities into a dynamic delivery system for at-home care. The company is advancing its innovative solutions with patent-pending technology, verified manufacturability, and regulatory exemptions. MendaCel is actively engaged in funding and partnership opportunities, including a successful NIH Phase 1 SBIR/STTR application and a pending US Army MRDC BAA pre-application.
Memsel is a biotechnology research and development company dedicated to enhancing health and combatting infections through advanced phage therapies and targeted delivery systems. The company aims to transform healthcare solutions across human, animal, and plant domains, addressing critical health challenges and antibiotic resistance.
Arizona State University
ASU Crosscutting Technologies to Enhance Military Medical Readiness and Resilience
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University of Pittsburgh
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Theradaptive
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Altec
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