Creating biodegradable vascular grafts for better artery health
Official title: Biodegradable Elastomers and Resorbable Synthetic Vascular Grafts
Funded at Michigan Technological University · NIH-10580321 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on creating new, safe materials for blood vessel replacements that can dissolve in your body after they’ve helped, especially for kids, so they can grow without complications.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Michigan Technological University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houghton, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $469,499 |
| NIH project number | 1R15HL159602-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10580321 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include patients requiring vascular grafts, especially those who cannot use autografts due to limited availability.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions that do not require vascular grafting or those who are not candidates for surgery may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing new biodegradable elastomers to create synthetic vascular grafts that can safely dissolve in the body after serving their purpose. The approach aims to address the limitations of current grafts, which often fail in small arteries due to complications like thrombosis. By engineering grafts that can grow with the patient, particularly benefiting pediatric patients, the research seeks to enhance the body's natural healing processes. The project involves designing and synthesizing new materials that are biocompatible and can be tailored for optimal performance in vascular applications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide patients with safer and more effective options for vascular grafts, reducing complications and improving recovery outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been attempts to create biodegradable grafts, this specific approach using novel polyester elastomers is relatively new and has not yet been widely tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Michigan Technological University
Houghton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ding, Xiaochu — Michigan Technological University
- Study coordinator: Ding, Xiaochu
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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.