Virginia Commonwealth University's Reanimation, Engineering and Shock Center, VCURES, has been awarded a three-year, $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Army to study new technologies for optimizing wound healing and limiting wound infections.

The study builds on VCU's discovery that a naturally occurring hormone, Androstendiol, has the ability to combat bacterial, viral and fungal infections, and protect against lethal radiation poisoning.

"These findings have significant clinical implications for today's military where extremely severe and complex wounds are much more prone to infection," said Robert E. Diegelmann, one of the senior researchers in the project, in a press release. "These infections and delayed healing jeopardize both life and limb."

Besides helping U.S. soldiers, the research could benefit veteran and civilian populations, trauma and burn victims, patients having delayed wound healing problems, and patients at risk for nosocomial, or hospital-acquired infections.