Creating engineered platelets to help control inflammation and improve healing
Official title: Synthetic circuits for therapeutic platelet production and immunomodulation
Funded at Georgia Institute of Technology · NIH-11283008 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new way to make special platelets from stem cells that can help control the immune system, especially to keep our infection-fighting cells in check, which could lead to better healing and less inflammation for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $444,081 |
| NIH project number | 7R01EB033851-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11283008 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would include patients with conditions characterized by excessive inflammation or impaired healing.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable conditions that do not involve inflammation or require platelet modulation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new technology that uses synthetic biology to create engineered platelets from pluripotent stem cells. These engineered platelets are designed to modulate the immune response, particularly by controlling the activity of neutrophils, which are crucial in fighting infections but can cause damage if not properly regulated. By harnessing the natural properties of platelets, the research aims to create a therapeutic tool that can improve healing and reduce inflammation in patients. The approach involves advanced techniques in cell engineering and biology to ensure effective delivery and action of these therapeutic platelets.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative treatments that enhance healing and reduce harmful inflammation in patients.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using engineered platelets is innovative, similar strategies in synthetic biology have shown promise in other areas of immunomodulation.
Where this research is happening
-
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Deans, Tara Lynn — Georgia Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Deans, Tara Lynn
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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.