Creating a new adhesive to help heal damaged nerves faster
Official title: Development of optoelectronically active nerve adhesive for accelerating peripheral nerve repair
Funded at University of Nebraska Medical Center · NIH-10811395 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new type of glue designed to help heal nerve injuries better, especially for those with longer gaps in their nerves, and it's aimed at helping patients recover more effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $437,331 |
| NIH project number | 1R21NS131938-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10811395 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced peripheral nerve injuries requiring surgical intervention.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with nerve injuries that do not require surgical repair or those with conditions unrelated to peripheral nerve damage may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel nerve adhesive that can enhance the healing process for patients with peripheral nerve injuries. The approach involves creating a dual network adhesive that combines special materials to improve adhesion strength and support nerve cell growth. By incorporating innovative optoelectronic materials, the researchers aim to create a more effective solution for repairing long-gap nerve injuries, potentially leading to better recovery outcomes for patients. The study will evaluate how well this new adhesive performs compared to existing options.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve recovery times and functional outcomes for patients with peripheral nerve injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using innovative biomaterials for nerve repair, but this specific approach with optoelectronic components is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Duan, Bin — University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Duan, Bin
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.