Nottingham medical student awarded 2025 Scar Free Foundation Elective Award

29 August 2025

Congratulations to Arooj Qaiser, a final-year medical student at the University of Nottingham, who has been awarded the prestigious Scar Free Foundation Elective Award! Arooj’s pioneering research project will investigate improving and enhancing much-needed treatment options for patients with severe burns.

Arooj will carry out her elective at Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust under the supervision of Ciaran O’Boyle, Skaria Alexander, and Hugh Wright, to investigate how two therapies – NexoBrid and Biodegradable Temporising Matrix (BTM) – might be used together safely and effectively in burn wound management.

What are NexoBrid and BTM?

NexoBrid is a treatment used in clinical burn care to remove dead tissue from burn wounds without the need for surgery. Unlike traditional surgical removal, NexoBrid offers a targeted, less invasive approach that can reduce blood loss and preserve healthy tissue.

BTM, or Biodegradable Temporising Matrix, is a type of synthetic skin substitute that helps cover and protect burn wounds while encouraging the body’s natural healing process. Acting as a “scaffold” for new tissue growth, BTM can be used as a temporary layer before skin grafting, improving outcomes for patients with large or complex burns

The research project

Evaluating the effect of NexoBrid on the integrity and efficacy of Biodegradable Temporising Matrix (BTM) in burns wound management

Arooj’s project aims to answer a critical question: can NexoBrid and BTM be used together without compromising the effectiveness of the other?

To explore this, she will develop new methods to measure the thickness and structural integrity of BTM using microscopic and practical approaches. The study, conducted on a human tissue burn wound model, will compare BTM samples exposed to NexoBrid with control samples, looking for any signs of breakdown.

If the foam structure of BTM remains intact, the findings could open the door to combining the two treatments in future clinical studies. If not, the research will provide vital insights into potential limitations.

Beyond this specific question, the project will also establish new techniques for describing and analysing BTM in tissue, which could support further advances in the field.

Looking ahead

The results of Arooj’s project will be presented at leading burns and plastic surgery meetings and submitted for peer-reviewed publication. Her work will contribute to the wider mission of The Scar Free Foundation: to support cutting-edge research that transforms treatment and improves outcomes for people affected by burns, scars, and related conditions.

We look forward to keeping you up to date with Arooj’s project!