Hydrogels that reduce inflammation by capturing inflammasomes
Official title: Anti-inflammatory activity of hydrogels designed to capture extracellular inflammasomes
Funded at University of California, Merced · NIH-10870146 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new type of gel that can help reduce harmful inflammation in the body, which could be helpful for people dealing with serious health issues like cancer or heart disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, Merced NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Merced, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $183,186 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI178831-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10870146 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from chronic inflammatory conditions such as atherosclerosis, COPD, or those experiencing severe inflammatory responses due to infections like COVID-19.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute inflammatory conditions that do not involve inflammasome activation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of specially designed hydrogels that can capture and sequester extracellular inflammasomes, which are complexes that trigger inflammation in response to pathogens or tissue damage. By targeting these inflammasomes, the goal is to inhibit chronic inflammation that contributes to various serious health conditions, including cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The approach involves creating hydrogels that facilitate specific protein-protein interactions to effectively neutralize the inflammatory response. Patients may benefit from this innovative method if it proves successful in reducing inflammation-related complications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that significantly reduce chronic inflammation and its associated health risks.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using hydrogels to capture inflammasomes is innovative, similar strategies targeting inflammation have shown promise in other studies, indicating potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, Merced
Merced, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: De Alba Bastarrechea, Eva — University of California, Merced
- Study coordinator: De Alba Bastarrechea, Eva
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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.