Improving healing of diabetic wounds with new small molecules
Official title: Advancing small molecule CXCR4 agonists for diabetic wound healing
Funded at University of Arizona · NIH-10854959 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for new medicines that can help wounds heal better in people with diabetes by boosting a special protein that helps bring healing cells to the injury site.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $273,660 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK126371-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-10854959 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with diabetes who experience slow or impaired wound healing.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without diabetes or those whose wounds are not related to diabetic conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing small molecule therapeutics to enhance the healing process of wounds in diabetic patients. It investigates the role of a specific chemokine, SDF-1α, which is crucial for recruiting healing cells and forming new blood vessels. By screening a large library of compounds, the researchers aim to identify new molecules that can activate the CXCR4 receptor, thereby promoting better wound healing. The approach includes rigorous testing of these compounds to ensure their effectiveness and safety for potential clinical use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that significantly improve wound healing in diabetic patients, reducing complications and enhancing quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting the SDF-1α/CXCR4 signaling pathway for improving diabetic wound healing, indicating a potential for success with this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Arizona
Tucson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liechty, Kenneth W — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Liechty, Kenneth W
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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.