The Burns Research Unit (BRU) is one of the clinical and laboratory research arms for the Department of Paediatric Surgery based at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

BRU is dedicated to improving outcomes for patients with burn injuries through multidisciplinary research, innovation, and collaboration. Our strength lies in a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach involving:

• Burn and plastic surgeons: leading clinical care and surgical research.
• Biomedical engineers and scientists: innovating and testing new materials, devices, and diagnostic tools.
• Specialist burn nurses: supporting both clinical care and research implementation.
• Physiotherapists and rehabilitation experts: focusing on recovery, mobility, and long-term patient outcomes.
• Research coordinators and assistants: managing clinical trials, data collection, and regulatory compliance.

Together, we bridge the gap between the bench and bedside, ensuring that research is clinically relevant and patient focused.

Objectives

Our work spans from epidemiological studies, laboratory-based studies to clinical trials, all aimed at advancing the science and treatment of burns. Our focus areas include:

• Innovative burn treatment research: conducting cutting-edge research to improve acute and long-term outcomes for burn patients.
• Reducing hypertrophic scarring: developing strategies and therapies to minimize scarring and improve aesthetic and functional recovery.
• Dermal substitutes and dressings testing: pre-clinical evaluation of novel dermal dressings and substitutes in animal models to ensure safety and efficacy.
• Clinical trials of advanced burn technologies: assessing new devices and dressing systems, including negative pressure wound therapy, in clinical settings.

Collaborators