Creating advanced materials that mimic biological systems for medical applications
Official title: Self-Assembled Multifunctional Biointerfaces
Funded at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute · NIH-11144326 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new materials that can help doctors better understand and treat diseases by mimicking how our cells communicate, making treatments more effective and easier to use on different surfaces.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Troy, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $386,190 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM155196-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11144326 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who may benefit from advanced biomaterials in medical devices or treatments, particularly those with conditions requiring improved biocompatibility.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing treatments or procedures involving biomaterials may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing innovative biomimetic materials that can enhance the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases. By utilizing the self-assembly properties of specially designed biomacromolecules, the project aims to create multifunctional systems that can improve the interaction between biological entities and materials. The research will explore coatings that mimic cell signaling, enhance biocompatibility, and control the release of therapeutic agents, all while being adaptable to various surfaces without the need for specialized equipment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved medical devices and treatments that better interact with biological systems, enhancing patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in developing biomimetic materials, indicating that this approach could lead to significant advancements in medical applications.
Where this research is happening
-
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zha, Runye Helen — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- Study coordinator: Zha, Runye Helen
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
ApoE and Reelin interactions in Alzheimer’s disease
A researcher is studying how the ApoE ε4 protein interacts with Reelin in the brains of people at risk for or living with Alzheimer’s disease to understand why some people develop the disease.
-
Understanding how cell doors work at the tiniest scales to protect blood vessels
Researchers are studying how tiny cell connections in blood vessels are controlled by chirality using engineered platforms, with a focus on protecting vascular health in acute lung injury and similar conditions.
-
Circadian Control of Immune Timing in Human Health
A scientifically focused project aims to understand how the body’s daily clock influences immune responses and metabolism at the cellular level.
-
Biomimetic coatings to improve cell interfaces and deliver bioactive payloads
A research project to create self-assembled, biocompatible coatings that mimic natural cell signaling and control how surfaces interact with cells and proteins, with potential to improve diagnostics, prevention, and treatment of diseases.
-
AI-enhanced 3D imaging to track drug-target engagement in breast cancer
This NIH grant funds a patient-centered imaging approach to watch how a cancer drug interacts with tumors over time using advanced AI-assisted 3D imaging.
-
Respiration and energy use in Bacteroides bacteria
Scientists will study how the gut bacterium Bacteroides uses energy, including its respiratory pathways, to understand how it grows in the gut and interacts with the host.
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.