Immune reprogramming with bioengineered scaffolds to treat brain infection after skull surgery
Official title: Immune reprogramming with bioengineered scaffolds for the treatment of biofilm infection
Funded at University of Nebraska Medical Center · NIH-11449110 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research grant aims to test new bioengineered scaffolds that use the immune system to fight infections that can occur after craniotomy surgeries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project start | June 24, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $762,758 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI192682-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11449110 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients who have undergone craniotomy and are at risk for or currently dealing with post-surgical brain infections caused by biofilm-forming bacteria.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without craniotomy-related infections or with non-biofilm infectious conditions may not benefit from this specific approach.
What this research studies
This project uses a mouse model of Staphylococcus aureus infection after skull-opening surgery to study how 3D bioprinted antibiotic scaffolds can control and eradicate biofilm-related infections in the brain area. By combining immune-modulating approaches with locally delivered antibiotics, the work seeks to create scaffolds that release drugs directly at the surgical site. The goal is to develop a safer, more effective treatment that bypasses the delays and side effects of systemic antibiotics. Results could inform future therapies to reduce post-surgical infections in neurosurgery patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience fewer post-craniotomy infections and fewer surgeries to remove or replace infected tissue.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows promise for localized antibiotic delivery and bioengineered scaffolds, but this exact immune-reprogramming scaffold approach is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kielian, Tammy L — University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Kielian, Tammy L
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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.