Mapping inflammation in burn and chemical skin injuries

Integrated spatial omics to elucidate conserved inflammatory mechanisms of vesicant-induced skin injury

NIH-funded research University of Texas Med Br Galveston · NIH-11194500

We use advanced tissue-mapping methods to pinpoint inflammatory changes after burn or chemical skin injuries so better treatments can be developed for people with these wounds.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Texas Med Br Galveston NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Galveston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11194500 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If you join, researchers will collect small skin samples and use advanced 'spatial omics' tools to map where inflammatory molecules and cells are located inside the wound. They will link this molecular map with standard tissue images to see which cells and zones drive ongoing damage up to 72 hours after exposure. The team will compare responses across different chemical and burn-type injuries to find shared inflammatory signals. That information will be used to guide which anti-inflammatory drugs could be tested to limit tissue damage.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People with recent burn or chemical (vesicant) skin injuries who can provide small skin biopsy samples and medical history would be the best candidates to participate.

Not a fit: People without recent skin injury, with long-healed scars, or whose exposure occurred well beyond the early inflammatory window may not benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal targets and guide treatments that reduce inflammation and limit tissue damage after burns or chemical skin exposures.

How similar studies have performed: Spatial omics has shown promise for mapping inflammation in other diseases, but applying these methods specifically to chemical/vesicant skin injuries is a newer and less-tested approach.

Where this research is happening

Galveston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Burn injury
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.