Helping the injured brain heal by changing cell surface sugars
Improving Brain Recovery Through Glycoengineering
Researchers are changing sugars on brain cells to encourage nerve-cell growth and improve recovery after acquired brain injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11144501 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses metabolic glycoengineering to add new chemical groups to sugars on the surface of brain cells, which can change how cells stick together and signal. The team will test modified sugar building blocks (ManNAc analogs) on human neural stem cells to see how structure, dose, and timing affect nerve-cell growth and survival. Promising compounds will be studied in animal models to see if they promote neurogenesis and improve recovery without needing implanted scaffolds. The work is aimed at developing simpler, more translatable ways to boost brain repair after injury.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people affected by acquired brain injury who might be eligible for future clinical translation, tissue donation, or related early-phase trials.
Not a fit: People without brain injury or those seeking an already approved, immediate therapy are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research now.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could promote nerve-cell growth and improve functional recovery after acquired brain injury.
How similar studies have performed: Related lab studies have shown promising effects on cells and in some animal models, but this particular glycoengineering approach is still new and untested in patients.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- University of Maryland Baltimore — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jia, Xiaofeng — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Jia, Xiaofeng
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.