Improving delivery of growth factors using specialized molecules
Official title: Non-covalent functionalization of collagen for growth factor delivery using bispecific aptamers
Funded at Pennsylvania State University, the · NIH-11089403 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to deliver important healing proteins to help treat different diseases, using special molecules that can stick to existing materials without changing them, making the treatment safer and more effective for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State University, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (University Park, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2024 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $456,120 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EB035568-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11089403 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with conditions that could benefit from growth factor therapies, such as certain cancers or tissue regeneration needs.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not require growth factor therapies or have contraindications to such treatments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the delivery of growth factors, which are crucial for treating various diseases, by using innovative molecules called bispecific aptamers. These aptamers can attach to existing biomaterials without altering their properties, allowing for a more stable and sustained release of growth factors. The project involves designing these aptamers, testing how well they can load and release growth factors, and evaluating their effectiveness in living organisms. This approach aims to reduce toxicity and improve therapeutic outcomes for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer and more effective treatments for conditions requiring growth factor therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using aptamers for targeted delivery, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State University, the
University Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Yong — Pennsylvania State University, the
- Study coordinator: Wang, Yong
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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.