Affinity-based biomaterials to guide protein delivery for bone healing
Official title: Modulating Protein Activity in Tissue Repair using Engineered Affinity-based Biomaterials
Funded at University of Oregon · NIH-11516198 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research team is testing new biomaterials that can release multiple healing proteins in a controlled way to improve bone repair.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oregon NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Eugene, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $51,431 |
| NIH project number | 3R35GM147507-05S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11516198 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be individuals with bone injuries or defects where enhanced protein signaling could improve repair.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with very small injuries or conditions unlikely to benefit from protein-delivery biomaterials may see limited relevance.
What this research studies
The project uses engineered biomaterials that can bind proteins with specific affinity, allowing precise timing and spatial presentation at the injury site. By studying how different protein combinations are released and how they stay active, researchers aim to understand how these signals influence healing. The work involves developing and testing materials in models of bone injury to see how protein delivery affects tissue repair. If successful, this could lead to smarter implants and therapies that better coordinate the body's natural healing processes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with bone injuries could benefit from smarter materials that enhance healing and potentially reduce recovery time.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that controlled protein delivery can influence healing, but this project focuses on simultaneous delivery of multiple proteins using affinity-based materials.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Oregon
Eugene, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hettiaratchi, Marian Hirushika — University of Oregon
- Study coordinator: Hettiaratchi, Marian Hirushika
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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.