Oxygen research wins 2019 Nobel Prize in Medicine
The 2019 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine has been award to three scientists whose research has centred on cellular detection and reaction to hypoxia – low oxygen levels in tissues. This ground-breaking research has not only improved our understanding of oxygen regulation but also highlighted chronic disease areas where hypoxia plays a significant role, one such area is wound healing.
Oxygen availability is critical during every stage of the wound healing process. Whilst most wounds will exhibit a degree of hypoxia initially, persistent tissue hypoxia will result in impaired wound healing.