Immunomodulatory nanofiber gel to help chronic wounds heal faster
Official title: Immunomodulatory Nanofibrous Modular Aerogels for Chronic Wound Healing
Funded at Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation · NIH-11347242 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research team is testing a tiny, advanced gel made of nanofibers and peptides to steer immune cells toward healing so chronic wounds can close sooner.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Woodland Hills, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 5, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $393,800 |
| NIH project number | 1R01GM164582-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11347242 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with chronic wounds (e.g., diabetic, venous, or pressure ulcers) that have not healed with standard care.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute wounds or wounds that are already healing well may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
Chronic wounds affect millions and cost billions, largely because immune cells stay in a damaging inflammatory state. The project aims to deliver short, stable peptide fragments that shift macrophages from a pro-inflammatory M1 state to a pro-healing M2 state, speeding tissue repair. To tackle oxygen issues in wounds, they’re also testing an innovative oxygen-generating system to reduce hypoxia and support healing. The approach combines immunomodulatory materials with controlled oxygen release to create a more favorable wound environment. If successful, this could lead to faster healing and less complications for people with diabetic, venous, or pressure ulcers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with chronic wounds could heal faster and reduce infection risk and healthcare costs.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work indicates macrophage polarization can influence healing, and peptide fragments may offer improved stability and activity over whole PRG-4 protein.
Where this research is happening
-
Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation
Woodland Hills, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vitharikunnil John, Johnson — Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation
- Study coordinator: Vitharikunnil John, Johnson
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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.