NIH-funded research Career grant

Improving healing of diabetic foot ulcers using targeted mRNA delivery

Official title: Targeted mRNA Delivery to Improve Diabetic Wound Healing

Funded at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · NIH-11041099 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is exploring a new way to help heal stubborn foot wounds in people with diabetes by using special messages to encourage the healing cells in the area, and it could offer hope for those struggling with these types of ulcers.

More Wound Healing research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project startApril 1, 2024
Project endMarch 31, 2028
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$150,736
NIH project number5K01DK139434-02
Project IDNIH-11041099 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from non-healing diabetic foot ulcers.

Less likely to help

Patients with acute wounds or those without diabetes may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a new method to enhance the healing of diabetic foot ulcers, which are wounds that do not heal properly in people with diabetes. The approach involves using targeted delivery of messenger RNA (mRNA) to specific cells in the wound area to promote healing. By analyzing individual cells in these wounds through advanced techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing, the research aims to identify key genes and pathways that can be activated to improve healing outcomes. Patients with non-healing diabetic foot ulcers may benefit from this innovative treatment strategy.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for diabetic foot ulcers, significantly improving healing rates and reducing complications.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using mRNA delivery for other therapeutic applications, suggesting potential success for this novel approach in wound healing.

Where this research is happening

  • Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
    Boston, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Theocharidis, Georgios — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
  • Study coordinator: Theocharidis, Georgios

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.