The Vice President for Research and Technology of the Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), the Vice President for Cultural and Student Affairs of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME), the Director General of ACECR’s Office of Medical Sciences, and a delegation of senior officials visited the Yara Institute of Wound Healing and Tissue Regeneration to review its latest scientific achievements, research activities, clinical and laboratory infrastructure, and strategic development plans.

During the visit, the Institute’s major accomplishments in research, technology, clinical services, and education, along with its approved organizational structure and long-term strategic plans, were presented. Discussions also highlighted the Institute’s capacity to advance innovative technologies in wound healing and tissue regeneration.

Emphasis on Home Healthcare and Specialized Wound Management

At the beginning of the program, Dr. Masoud Habibi, former President of ACECR Tehran University of Medical Sciences Branch and Deputy Minister of Health, emphasized the role of ACECR in advancing health technologies and highlighted the importance of expanding home healthcare services (Home Care) and specialized wound management.

He noted that post-discharge patient care and the provision of healthcare services at home have become key priorities within the national healthcare system. He further stated that, with its strong scientific, research, and clinical capabilities, ACECR Tehran University of Medical Sciences Branch is well positioned to serve as a specialized partner of the Ministry of Health in this field.

Dr. Habibi also referred to the Yara Institute’s successful experience in the treatment of chronic wounds, noting that its educational and clinical activities have made a significant contribution to improving diabetic foot ulcer management and reducing lower-limb amputations in Iran.

Presentation of the Yara Institute’s Performance and Strategic Plans

Dr. Mohammad Hassan Soheilifar, Deputy Head of the Yara Institute of Wound Healing and Tissue Regeneration, presented an overview of the Institute’s structural development, research performance, and future strategic plans.

He reported that, following the approval of the Institute’s new organizational structure, three research groups are currently active: Medical Laser, Regenerative Medicine, and Photodynamic Therapy. He also noted that all three groups achieved top national rankings in the latest evaluations conducted by ACECR’s Office of Medical Sciences.

Dr. Soheilifar highlighted several major achievements of the Institute over the past five years, including:

• Publication of 274 scientific articles, more than 30% of which appeared in Q1 international journals.
• Ranking third nationwide for the Medical Laser Research Center among 254 clinical research centers with more than ten years of activity and no dedicated governmental budget.
• Ongoing implementation of 22 research and technology projects, including 16 externally funded projects supported through competitive grants from organizations such as the Iran National Science Foundation (INSF), the Iran National Innovation Fund, the Iranian Red Crescent Society, and other funding agencies.

He also announced the launch of the National Wound Center, a flagship project being established in collaboration with Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). The Center is intended to become the national reference center for wound treatment, education, research, and technology development, while supporting the localization of cell-based therapies and advanced wound dressings, the implementation of innovative wound care technologies, and the specialized training of healthcare professionals.

Opening of the Permanent Exhibition of Research and Technological Achievements

During the visit, a Permanent Exhibition of Research and Technological Achievements at the Yara Institute was officially inaugurated in the presence of Dr. Zahra Sheikhi, Dr. Masoud Habibi, Dr. Mohammadreza Nejadmoghadam, and Dr. Seyed Mehdi Tababaei.

The Institute’s researchers presented several of its latest research and technology projects, including:

• Semi-industrial production of an adipose tissue cryopreservation kit for lipofilling candidates (TRL-5).
• Laboratory-scale production of trypsin enzyme for research, industrial, and clinical applications (TRL-4).
• Production of human hyaluronic acid derived from umbilical cord tissue (TRL-4).
• Semi-industrial production of AceCell Plus®, a three-dimensional amniotic membrane scaffold containing adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of chronic diabetic wounds (TRL-6).
• Development of a lyophilized human placental powder containing therapeutic exosomes for chronic diabetic wound healing (TRL-4).
• Design and fabrication of an amorphous polysaccharide hydrogel based on carboxymethyl cellulose and calcium alginate for wound healing (TRL-3).
• Investigation of the therapeutic effects of saffron petal extract on diabetic wound healing (TRL-4).
• Development of carbon quantum dots for bioimaging and photodynamic therapy of skin cancer (TRL-3).
• Development of optogenetic technologies for regulating cardiac cell function, directing osteogenic differentiation, and restoring vision in animal models (TRL-4).

Dr. Soheilifar also announced ongoing efforts to have the Institute’s scientific journal, ASWTR, indexed in the Scopus database.

Laboratory and Clinical Tour

At the conclusion of the program, the Vice President for Research and Technology of ACECR, the Vice President for Cultural and Student Affairs of the Ministry of Health, and the accompanying delegation toured the Institute’s research laboratories and the Specialized Wound and Varicose Vein Clinic.

In her closing remarks, Dr. Zahra Sheikhi, Vice President for Research and Technology of ACECR, expressed her appreciation for the Institute’s progress in research, technology development, and clinical services. She reaffirmed ACECR Headquarters’ commitment to supporting the Institute’s mission-oriented projects and strategic technologies.