Single jolt of electricity that can heal injuries

a tiny device that ‘reprogrammes’ skin cells to heal injuries with just one touch has been developed at Ohio State University.

the process, called tissue nano-transfection, involves placing a coin-sized chip device on the skin that contains genetic material to change the cells.

the device is zapped with a small electrical charge that opens channels in the upper layer of skin, allowing the genetic material inside.

this technique can make the skin form different types of cells to repair or restore function to nerves, organs and other damaged tissues. it’s been successfully used in trials in mice, replacing blood vessels in an injured leg. Human trials will start next year.