Boosting blood vessel growth to help chronic wounds heal

Project 1 - Balog

NIH-funded research University of New England · NIH-11251584

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 typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of New England NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Biddeford, United States)
Project IDNIH-11251584 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: 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.

Not a fit: 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.

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 performed: 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

Biddeford, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.