Improving Shoulder Labrum Healing with a Special Adhesive
Official title: Biomolecule releasing adhesive for cell-mediated labral repair
Funded at University of Texas Arlington · NIH-11110452 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is developing a special adhesive that releases helpful molecules to encourage better healing of shoulder labrum tears.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Arlington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Arlington, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $406,777 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR081979-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11110452 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with glenoid labral tears who experience chronic shoulder pain and instability, and whose current surgical options offer limited tissue regeneration, would be ideal candidates for future applications of this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without glenoid labral tears or those whose shoulder instability is not related to labral damage would not directly benefit from this specific approach.
What this research studies
Many people experience chronic shoulder pain and instability due to tears in the glenoid labrum, a key part of the shoulder joint. While surgery can reattach the torn labrum, it often doesn't fully heal the tissue, leading to continued problems for some patients. This project is developing a new kind of adhesive designed to release special biomolecules directly to the injured area. The goal is for this adhesive to encourage your body's own cells to actively repair and regenerate the damaged labrum tissue, aiming for a stronger, more complete healing process.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to more complete and lasting healing for shoulder labrum tears, reducing chronic pain and instability after surgery.
How similar studies have gone: While cell therapy and tissue engineering have shown promise in improving cartilage and bone healing, this specific approach for glenoid labrum healing using a biomolecule-releasing adhesive is novel and has not been widely explored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Arlington
Arlington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tang, Liping — University of Texas Arlington
- Study coordinator: Tang, Liping
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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.