Hydrogel Conjugates to Boost Caprylic Acid’s Wound-Healing Power
Official title: Explore Novel Hydrogelable Covalent Conjugates of Caprylic Acid to Amplify its Bactericidal and Pro-healing Capability for Accelerated Healing of Infected Wounds
Funded at Lsu Health Sciences Center · NIH-11461170 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new gel-forming compound combines caprylic acid with special peptides to kill bacteria in infected wounds and help them heal faster.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lsu Health Sciences Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Orleans, United States) |
| Project start | August 18, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $225,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI202588-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11461170 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients with infected wounds, especially diabetic wounds, who may benefit from improved healing and infection control.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with wounds not dominated by biofilm infection or those intolerant to topical gels may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests self-assembling, hydrogel-forming conjugates that release caprylic acid over time to penetrate biofilms in infected wounds, including those in diabetics. The approach aims to both clear infection and support tissue regeneration, potentially offering a safer, more effective treatment than current therapies. Researchers will study how the gel forms, how it releases the active agent, and how it affects bacteria and healing in models that mimic real wounds. If successful, this could pave the way for a topical therapy that reduces healing times and complications from infected wounds.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience faster healing of infected wounds with reduced risk of antibiotic resistance.
How similar studies have gone: Other gel-based antimicrobials and C8 formulations have shown promise in preclinical models, but this CONJ approach is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Lsu Health Sciences Center
New Orleans, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hong, Song — Lsu Health Sciences Center
- Study coordinator: Hong, Song
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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.