A new wound dressing to help diabetic wounds heal faster
Official title: Engineering the open porous nanofibrous microsphere integrated fibrillar hydrogel for the co-delivery of antibacterial and angiogenic agents aimed at the rapid diabetic wound repair
Funded at Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation · NIH-11115753 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is developing a special wound dressing that combines different materials to deliver medicines, helping diabetic wounds close quickly and prevent infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Woodland Hills, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $476,918 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK134903-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11115753 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is ultimately aimed at patients with diabetic wounds that are slow to heal or prone to infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without diabetic wounds or those with wounds not caused by diabetes may not directly benefit from this specific wound dressing.
What this research studies
We are creating a unique wound dressing made of tiny, porous spheres and a gel that responds to the body. This dressing is designed to encourage cells to move into the wound and form new tissue, which is key for fast healing. It will also release antibacterial agents to fight infection and other helpful substances to promote blood vessel growth. Our goal is to create a moist environment that supports healing and continuously delivers important medicines right where they are needed.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this new wound dressing could significantly speed up the healing of diabetic wounds, reduce the risk of infection, and potentially prevent severe complications like amputation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that porous nanofiber structures greatly improve cell migration and tissue integration, inspiring this novel, multi-component approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation
Woodland Hills, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vitharikunnil John, Johnson — Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation
- Study coordinator: Vitharikunnil John, Johnson
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Diabetic Foot Ulcer Healing Network at the University of Arizona
A NIH-supported project at the University of Arizona aims to improve healing of diabetic foot ulcers by studying biomarkers and running high-quality clinical trials.
-
Understanding how skin layers coordinate healing after injury
Researchers are studying how different layers of adult skin coordinate rapid healing after injury to prevent infection and chronic wounds.
-
Immunomodulatory therapy to speed up healing after oral cavity injuries in kids
A new approach using a drug called FTY720 aims to improve healing and reduce pain after oral injuries or palate surgery in children.
-
How diabetic wounds let Group B Streptococcus cause infections
Researchers are learning how high blood sugar, immune changes, and other bacteria in diabetic wounds help Group B Streptococcus grow and cause worse infections in people with diabetes.
-
Understanding how skin cells exchange harmful chemicals to cause injury and wound repair
A research project aims to uncover how certain chemical agents damage human skin and what happens in the early stages of blistering and inflammation.
-
Intestinal mucosal wound healing in humans
A patient-friendly look at how the lining of the gut repairs itself after injury and why this matters for conditions like inflammatory bowel disease.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.