Development of stretchy materials for urethral repair

Highly Elastic Biomaterial Development for Urethral Application

NIH-funded research University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11081766

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 typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California Los Angeles NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, United States)
Project IDNIH-11081766 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: 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.

Not a fit: Patients with urethral conditions that do not require surgical intervention or those who are not candidates for urethroplasty may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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

Los Angeles, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.