Biofilm and the body’s defense in diabetic wound healing
Official title: Biofilm-host defense mechanism underlying diabetic wound chronicity
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11425160 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aimed at understanding how stubborn biofilm infections in diabetic wounds affect healing, this project looks at how immune cells react to biofilms in people with diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $530,328 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK148600-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11425160 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with diabetic ulcers or wounds affected by biofilm infections, particularly those with non-healing conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without diabetic wounds or without biofilm involvement may not experience direct benefit.
What this research studies
This research focuses on why biofilm infections—bacteria organized in protective groups—persist in diabetic wounds and help keep wounds from healing. Using advanced tissue analysis techniques, the team will study immune cells in human wounds to see how they respond to biofilms. The goal is to uncover mechanisms that make biofilms resistant to normal healing processes and identify points where treatment could help the body recover. The work is grounded in human tissue data and seeks to translate findings into better care for patients with chronic diabetic ulcers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could lead to new strategies to disrupt biofilms and improve healing in diabetic wounds.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data and related studies have shown that biofilms contribute to chronic infections, but this project advances understanding using human tissue analysis.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Roy, Sashwati — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Roy, Sashwati
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
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Immunomodulatory therapy to speed up healing after oral cavity injuries in kids
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-
How diabetic wounds let Group B Streptococcus cause infections
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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.