Exploring a new hydrogel to improve the survival of brain cell transplants.
Official title: Investigation of the effects of interleukin-10 shear thinning hydrogel on human oligodendrocyte progenitor cell survival and differentiation following transplantation
Funded at State University of New York at Buffalo · NIH-11232945 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a special gel that could help brain cells survive better when they're put into the brain, which might help people with neurodegenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis by improving their chances of recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Amherst, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $40,812 |
| NIH project number | 3R01NS130130-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11232945 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis who may benefit from cell-based therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to neurodegeneration or those who are not candidates for cell transplantation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how a specially designed hydrogel can enhance the survival and differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) when transplanted into the brain. The study aims to overcome significant challenges in cell therapy for neurodegenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis, where cell death after transplantation is a major issue. By using a shear-thinning hydrogel, the researchers hope to protect these cells during injection and improve their chances of survival and function in the brain. This could lead to better outcomes for patients suffering from conditions that affect myelin repair.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved therapies for neurodegenerative diseases by enhancing the effectiveness of cell transplants.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using hydrogels in cell therapy is gaining interest, this specific application for OPCs in neurodegenerative diseases is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
State University of New York at Buffalo
Amherst, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Andreadis, Stelios Theoharis — State University of New York at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Andreadis, Stelios Theoharis
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.