Anti-adhesion barrier made from smart gels to prevent belly adhesions after surgery
Official title: Combining zwitterionic hydrogels with S100A9 inhibition for postoperative abdominal adhesion prevention
Funded at University of Nebraska Medical Center · NIH-11431240 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new gel-based barrier infused with an anti-inflammatory inhibitor is being developed to help people recover after abdominal surgery by preventing scar tissues that can stick organs together.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project start | September 8, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $597,290 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK149648-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11431240 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients undergoing abdominal surgery who are at risk for developing adhesions may benefit from the resulting barrier material.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not undergoing abdominal surgery or those with conditions where the barrier is not suitable may not benefit.
What this research studies
After abdominal surgery, many patients develop adhesions that can cause pain and complications. The project will create advanced zwitterionic hydrogels that act as physical barriers, resist fouling, and deliver anti-inflammatory effects through an S100A9 inhibitor. Researchers will test these materials in established animal models to understand how they influence inflammation, tissue remodeling, and adhesion formation during healing. The goal is a safe, effective barrier that does not impair wound healing and can be translated to human use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience fewer postoperative adhesions and related complications, leading to quicker recoveries and fewer reoperations.
How similar studies have gone: Prior adhesion barriers show partial success; this project aims to improve efficacy with a multifunctional, inflammation-targeting hydrogel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Duan, Bin — University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Duan, Bin
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.