Mitochondria and metabolism after burn injury
Official title: The Role of the Mitochondrion in the Metabolic Stress Response to Burn Trauma
Funded at Arkansas Children's Hospital Res Inst · NIH-11376347 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are exploring how tiny energy centers in cells called mitochondria change metabolism after severe burns to help people recover faster.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Arkansas Children's Hospital Res Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Little Rock, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $70,715 |
| NIH project number | 3R35GM142744-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11376347 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who have experienced moderate to severe burn injuries and are in recovery or follow-up care would be most relevant for related future clinical studies.
✕Less likely to help
Those with only minor burns or with health issues unrelated to burn-induced metabolic changes are unlikely to see direct benefits from this laboratory-focused work in the near term.
What this research studies
This program uses new rodent models to trace how fat and muscle tissues are broken down, redistributed, and burned for energy after a burn injury. Scientists will label adipose and skeletal muscle to follow specific molecules and measure mitochondrial bioenergetics, reactive oxygen production, and mitochondrial DNA release. The work aims to link these mitochondrial changes to hypermetabolism, insulin resistance, altered lipid handling, and muscle wasting that patients often face after burns. Findings could point to cellular processes to target with future therapies to reduce complications and speed recovery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new ways to lessen prolonged metabolic problems, muscle loss, and slow recovery after serious burns.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has suggested mitochondria contribute to burn hypermetabolism, but the use of isotopically labeled tissues and detailed turnover tracing in these new models is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Arkansas Children's Hospital Res Inst
Little Rock, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Porter, Craig — Arkansas Children's Hospital Res Inst
- Study coordinator: Porter, Craig
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Shorter antifungal treatment for kids with candidemia
A multi-center pediatric trial tests whether a shorter, 7 extra days of antifungal therapy after an initial 7 days is just as good as the standard 14-day approach for kids with candidemia who are improving on echinocandin therapy.
-
Short Course vs Standard Course Antifungal Therapy for Pediatric Candidemia
This study tests whether a shorter 7-day total antifungal treatment after an initial 7 days of echinocandin therapy is as effective as the usual 14-day course for children with candidemia.
-
Shorter antifungal treatment for kids with candidemia
A multi-center study tests whether kids with candidemia can finish treatment earlier after an initial week of antifungal therapy than the standard two weeks total.
-
Shorter antifungal treatment for kids with candidemia
This study tests whether children with candidemia can finish treatment after 7 days of an echinocandin if they are improving, instead of completing a full 14 days.
-
Shorter antifungal course for kids with candidemia
A multi-center study tests whether 7 extra days of antifungal therapy after an initial week of treatment can be shortened safely for children with candidemia.
-
Shortened antifungal treatment for kids with candidemia
A pediatric multicenter trial will test whether stopping antifungal therapy after 7 more days, following an initial 7 days of treatment, isas safe as continuing for 14 days.
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.