Improving Stem Cell Therapies with Advanced Materials
Official title: Dynamic Nanofibrous Hydrogels for Enhancing Stem Cells' Therapeutic Potency
Funded at University of Miami Coral Gables · NIH-11300648 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research aims to grow more powerful human stem cells using special materials, hoping to create better treatments for many different diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami Coral Gables NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $248,999 |
| NIH project number | 4R00GM151459-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11300648 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients who might benefit from this research are those with conditions that could be treated by allogeneic (donor) stem cell therapies in the future.
✕Less likely to help
Patients seeking immediate treatment or those whose conditions are not targeted by stem cell therapies may not directly benefit from this foundational research.
What this research studies
Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are promising for treating various diseases, but current methods for growing them in large numbers can make them less effective. This project explores new ways to grow these cells using dynamic nanofibrous hydrogels, which are special materials that mimic the body's natural environment. By understanding how these materials affect stem cell behavior, we hope to produce hMSCs that are more potent and consistent for future therapies. This could lead to more reliable and effective stem cell treatments for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to the development of more effective and widely available stem cell therapies for a variety of human diseases.
How similar studies have gone: While many studies explore scaffolding for cell growth, this research focuses on the less-studied dynamic mechanics of these materials, offering a novel approach to enhance stem cell potency.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Miami Coral Gables
Coral Gables, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Castilla-Casadiego, David — University of Miami Coral Gables
- Study coordinator: Castilla-Casadiego, David
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Depression and treatment adherence support for people with HIV in South Africa
A research project will test strategies to bring proven depression and ART-adherence treatments to people living with HIV in South Africa.
-
Measuring daily bereavement stress in real life for heart health
We’re testing a simple way to track how grieving a spouse affects heart health in real-life settings.
-
Improving linkages to HIV care with an online support tool in South Florida
A tailored online tool helps people in South Florida find HIV-related services (PrEP, PEP, ART) and mental health or substance-use support so they stay engaged with care.
-
Comprehensive survivorship care in primary care clinics for cancer survivors
A study to bring thorough cancer survivorship care into community primary care clinics to help adults, especially older adults, manage late effects, follow-up, and healthy living after cancer.
-
Understanding how aging and inflammation affect disc health and back pain
This project looks at why spinal discs lose their lubricating molecules as people age or during inflammation, and what that means for back pain.
-
Improving how doctors measure progress with teens by watching fidelity to the plan
A clinician-focused project tests which parts of measurement-based care for teens are most important to delivering consistent, effective treatment in community mental health settings.
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.