Boosting blood vessel growth to help chronic wounds heal
Official title: Project 1 - Balog
Funded at University of New England · NIH-11251584 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Developing regenerative approaches that improve blood flow and control inflammation so people with slow-healing wounds—especially older adults and those with diabetes or obesity—can heal better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New England NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Biddeford, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $256,439 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM152330-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11251584 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people with chronic or non-healing wounds, such as those with diabetes, poor circulation, obesity, advanced age, or prior limb-threatening injuries.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose wounds are caused by factors unrelated to poor blood flow or chronic inflammation, or those with uncontrolled infection or immune conditions that block regenerative approaches, may not benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers are developing combinations of stem cells, growth factors, and new scaffold materials to encourage new blood vessel formation and healthier tissue repair. They plan to control damaging chronic inflammation while supporting the tissue-building cells that close wounds. Work will include laboratory experiments, preclinical testing, and steps toward therapies people could receive or provide samples for. Over the grant period the team will refine materials and delivery methods to improve safety and effectiveness for future human use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could speed wound healing, lower infection risk, reduce amputations, and improve patients' quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work with growth factors, stem cells, and scaffold materials has shown promise in labs and early trials, but widely effective clinical solutions for chronic wounds remain limited.
Where this research is happening
-
University of New England
Biddeford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Balog, Eva Rose Murdock — University of New England
- Study coordinator: Balog, Eva Rose Murdock
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.