Biodegradable conductive nerve grafts to help regrow damaged peripheral nerves
Ionically Conductive Polymeric Biomaterials and Grafts for Nerve Regeneration
Biodegradable, electrically conductive grafts that slowly release 4‑aminopyridine and deliver electrical stimulation to help people with large-gap peripheral nerve injuries regain nerve function.
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 ID | NIH-11235161 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are developing biodegradable chitosan-based scaffolds that conduct ions, can carry electrical stimulation, and slowly release the drug 4‑aminopyridine to support nerve regrowth. Surgeons would implant these grafts to bridge large gaps in injured peripheral nerves that are hard to repair with current options. In lab and animal work the team will tune the grafts' strength, pore structure, degradation rate, conductivity, and drug-release profile and test whether combining chemical and electrical cues improves nerve repair. The goal is a graft that promotes better recovery of movement and sensation than existing autografts or synthetic conduits.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with severe peripheral nerve injuries involving large gaps who need a graft to bridge the defect and restore function.
Not a fit: Patients with small nerve injuries that heal without grafting, central nervous system injuries, or those who cannot undergo surgery are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could improve nerve regrowth and functional recovery after large-gap peripheral nerve injuries and reduce the need to harvest patients' own nerve tissue.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies show electrical stimulation and 4‑aminopyridine can help repair crush-type nerve injuries, but combining them within biodegradable conductive grafts for large-gap repairs is largely novel.
Where this research is happening
Omaha, United States
- University of Nebraska Medical Center — Omaha, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kumbar, Sangamesh Gurappa — University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Kumbar, Sangamesh Gurappa
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 below.