Development of stretchy materials for urethral repair
Official title: Highly Elastic Biomaterial Development for Urethral Application
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11081766 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring new stretchy materials that can help fix urethra problems in both kids and adults, with the goal of making surgeries safer and more effective.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $170,344 |
| NIH project number | 5K08DK134868-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11081766 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals, both children and adults, who have urethral defects due to various causes such as congenital issues or trauma.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with urethral conditions that do not require surgical intervention or those who are not candidates for urethroplasty may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating highly elastic biomaterials that can be used to repair urethral defects in both children and adults. The project aims to understand how these materials interact with biological tissues and to develop methods for their fabrication and evaluation. Through mentorship and specialized training, the principal investigator, Dr. Renea Sturm, will enhance her skills in materials science and tissue engineering, ultimately aiming to improve surgical outcomes for patients needing urethroplasty.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better treatment options for patients with urethral defects, improving healing and reducing complications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research in the field of bioengineered materials for tissue repair has shown promising results, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sturm, Renea — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Sturm, Renea
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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.