Nanofiber-hydrogel to rebuild soft facial tissue
Biostimulatory nanofiber-hydrogel composite for soft tissue remodeling
This project is trying an injectable material that aims to restore lost facial soft tissue and turn into lasting, well-blood-supplied tissue for people with facial tissue loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11289441 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
For patients, this work is developing an off-the-shelf injectable material made of tiny polyester fibers blended into a hyaluronic acid gel that can be placed where soft tissue is missing. The material is designed to draw in the body's own cells, encourage blood vessel formation, and gradually remodel into living soft tissue in preclinical tests. Researchers are testing different formulations and studying how the implant interacts with cells and surrounding tissue using lab and animal models. The goal is to create a one-time injectable option that keeps volume and integrates naturally with the face.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with craniofacial soft tissue loss from congenital differences, cancer surgery, trauma, or inflammatory disease looking for reconstructive options.
Not a fit: People whose problems are primarily bone defects rather than soft tissue, those with active infections, or certain immune conditions may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reduce the need for repeated surgeries and provide more natural, long-lasting soft tissue restoration for people with facial defects.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical animal studies of this material platform have shown promising host cell infiltration and progressive remodeling into vascularized tissue, but human results are not yet established.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Reddy, Sashank K — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Reddy, Sashank K
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 below.