Investigating how long special microcarriers stay in the bloodstream
Official title: Biodistribution and circulatory persistence of hyper-compliant microcarriers
Funded at Brown University · NIH-11030380 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new kind of tiny carrier that acts like white blood cells to see if it can stay in the bloodstream longer than regular carriers, which could help deliver medicine or remove toxins more effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $79,750 |
| NIH project number | 1R03EB036557-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11030380 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions that require targeted drug delivery or detoxification therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have conditions requiring advanced drug delivery systems or detoxification may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on a new type of microcarrier designed to mimic white blood cells, which can potentially circulate in the bloodstream for extended periods without being trapped in small blood vessels. The study will compare these hyper-compliant microcarriers with traditional stiffer microparticles in a mouse model to assess their ability to persist in circulation. By using advanced imaging techniques and blood analysis, the researchers aim to understand how these microcarriers distribute throughout the body and their potential to deliver drugs or remove toxins effectively.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved drug delivery systems that enhance treatment efficacy and reduce side effects for patients.
How similar studies have gone: While the concept of using microcarriers for drug delivery is established, the specific approach of using hyper-compliant microparticles is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Brown University
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Darling, Eric M — Brown University
- Study coordinator: Darling, Eric M
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.