Prize for novel material to prevent scarring

An international research team using expertise from the fields of medicine, biology, chemistry and materials research to develop a scar-free method of closing wounds has won a prestigious €750,000 (£470,000) prize.

Recipients of the Koerber European Science Award 2002 include team members Mark Ferguson and Cay Kielty from the School of Biological Sciences and Michael Walker from the department of vascular surgery at the University of Manchester. The team leader is Jeffrey Hubbell of the University of Zurich.

The new material will be used to prevent scars resulting from diabetes or vein disorders and in vascular surgery.