Creating adjustable materials to improve wound healing
Official title: Design of tunable biopolymers to understand the dynamic wound microenvironment
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11022592 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how inflammation impacts healing for people with chronic wounds, especially those with diabetes, and aims to create special materials that can help improve the healing process.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $400,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R35GM157100-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11022592 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals suffering from chronic wounds, particularly those related to diabetes or vascular diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute wounds or those not experiencing chronic inflammation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how inflammation affects wound healing and aims to develop bioengineered polymers that can be adjusted to improve the healing process. By studying the chemical and mechanical properties of these materials, the researchers hope to find ways to modulate the inflammatory response in chronic wounds, which often fail to heal properly. The project addresses the significant challenge of chronic wounds, particularly in patients with diabetes and other risk factors, by exploring innovative solutions to enhance tissue repair and regeneration.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for chronic wounds, improving healing outcomes and quality of life for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using bioengineered materials to enhance wound healing, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shin, Crystal S — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Shin, Crystal S
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
Researchers are studying how different layers of adult skin coordinate rapid healing after injury to prevent infection and chronic wounds.
-
Immunomodulatory therapy to speed up healing after oral cavity injuries in kids
A new approach using a drug called FTY720 aims to improve healing and reduce pain after oral injuries or palate surgery in children.
-
How diabetic wounds let Group B Streptococcus cause infections
Researchers are learning how high blood sugar, immune changes, and other bacteria in diabetic wounds help Group B Streptococcus grow and cause worse infections in people with diabetes.
-
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.