Collagen-based carriers to deliver and release osteoarthritis medicines in injured knees
Collagen-mediated approaches to improve the local delivery and hypothermic release of osteoarthritis therapeutics
This work uses collagen-like carriers that stick to damaged knee tissue and hold medicines for slow release at body temperature or a quick release when the joint is cooled, aimed at people with recent knee injuries to help prevent post-traumatic osteoarthritis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Delaware NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11166486 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I've had a knee injury, this project aims to prevent long-term osteoarthritis by getting medicine directly into the injured tissue. The team is building tiny carriers from collagen-like and elastin-like peptides that can bind to damaged cartilage and carry drugs inside. These carriers are designed to release medicine slowly at normal body temperature and to give a faster dose when the joint is mildly cooled. The goal is to keep drugs in the joint longer so fewer injections are needed and early damage after injury is reduced.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with recent knee injuries (for example ACL tears or other acute joint trauma), especially early after injury or surgery, would be the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with long-standing, advanced osteoarthritis or those without a joint injury are unlikely to benefit from this preventive delivery approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lower the chance of developing post-traumatic osteoarthritis after a knee injury while reducing systemic side effects and the need for repeated high-dose injections.
How similar studies have performed: Other targeted joint-delivery methods have extended drug residence and shown promise in animal studies, but this collagen-based, temperature-triggered nanovesicle approach is largely novel and not yet tested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Newark, UNITED STATES
- University of Delaware — Newark, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kiick, Kristi L — University of Delaware
- Study coordinator: Kiick, Kristi L
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.