Engineered cell-derived nanoparticles to deliver medicines into the brain
Homogenized, engineered extracellular vesicles for intracranial targeting
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS · NIH-11307047
This project tries to use uniform, engineered cell-derived nanoparticles to carry medicines and imaging agents across the blood-brain barrier to reach brain support cells like astrocytes.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (DAVIS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11307047 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers are making extracellular vesicles (tiny particles cells naturally release) more uniform in size and content, then combining them with liposomes to create a controllable delivery particle. They will test whether these hybrid particles cross the blood-brain barrier and preferentially enter glial cells such as astrocytes. Experiments will include biochemical profiling, tracking where particles go in the brain, and measuring delivery efficiency and off-target effects in preclinical models. The goal is a safer, more reliable way to deliver drugs or imaging agents to the brain that could be adapted for many neurological conditions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal future candidates would be people with brain disorders that need targeted delivery to glial cells or therapies that currently cannot cross the blood-brain barrier.
Not a fit: Patients without a brain-related condition or whose treatment does not require targeted intracranial delivery are unlikely to benefit from this research in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could enable safer and more effective delivery of drugs or imaging agents directly into the brain, improving treatments for neurological disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work shows some extracellular vesicles can cross the blood-brain barrier and reach brain cells, but homogenized EV-to-liposome hybrid delivery is a novel and mostly untested approach.
Where this research is happening
DAVIS, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS — DAVIS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: CARNEY, RANDY — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS
- Study coordinator: CARNEY, RANDY
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.