Injectable hydrogel to help spinal cord injuries heal
Official title: Multifunctional Injectable Hydrogel for Spinal Cord Injury Repair
Funded at Rowan University · NIH-11445060 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist-led project is testing a special injectable gel that can deliver multiple therapeutic agents at once to a spinal cord injury, aiming to improve nerve growth and movement.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rowan University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Glassboro, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $571,730 |
| NIH project number | 1R15NS147285-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11445060 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with spinal cord injury undergoing preclinical/ translational research or those who may participate in future translational studies linked to SCI biomaterial therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-injury-related spinal cord conditions or those not eligible for biomaterial-based interventions may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses a PluHA hydrogel that can release several drugs right at the injury site. The goal is to reduce barriers like inflammation and scarring while promoting axon growth and better connections. Researchers will study how the gel releases its cargo over time and how these signals affect the injured spinal cord in a preclinical model. Early work focuses on interactions between the material, the injury environment, and ongoing recovery. If successful, this could translate into smarter, multi-agent therapies for SCI in the future.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from a single injectable therapy that supports nerve regrowth and functional recovery after spinal cord injury.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that multi-agent delivery can enhance regeneration in SCI models, but this study advances understanding of release dynamics and long-term function.
Where this research is happening
-
Rowan University
Glassboro, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Galie, Peter Adam — Rowan University
- Study coordinator: Galie, Peter Adam
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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.