Developing new vascular grafts that can degrade and mimic natural blood vessels
Elastic, Degradable Vascular Grafts with Helical Microfibers
This study is testing new stretchy and biodegradable blood vessel grafts made from special fibers to help people with blocked arteries, especially those with diabetes or older adults, by seeing how well these grafts work in the body compared to current options.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cornell University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ithaca, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11121307 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating elastic and degradable vascular grafts made from helical microfibers that can be used to reroute blood flow when arteries become blocked. The approach aims to overcome the limitations of current synthetic grafts, which do not integrate well with the body and can lead to complications. By using a material that mimics the natural extracellular matrix of arteries, the researchers will investigate how well these grafts can be populated by host cells and how they perform in patients with conditions like diabetes and aging. The research involves testing these grafts in animal models to ensure they can effectively remodel and function like natural blood vessels.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include patients with arterial occlusions, particularly those who may not have suitable autologous graft options due to health conditions or age.
Not a fit: Patients who have no arterial occlusions or those who are not candidates for vascular grafting procedures may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and safer vascular grafts for patients with blocked arteries, reducing complications and improving outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using biodegradable materials for vascular grafts, but this specific approach with helical microfibers is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Ithaca, United States
- Cornell University — Ithaca, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Yadong — Cornell University
- Study coordinator: Wang, Yadong
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 below.