Nanomaterial coating to prevent bone infections after open fractures
Nanohybrid Composites Minimize Antibiotic Resistant Infections
This project tries a new antibacterial nanomaterial coating to help people with open bone fractures avoid infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | West Virginia University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Morgantown, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11173582 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are combining tiny silver particles with carbon nanotubes to make a coating that kills bacteria at open fracture sites while aiming to limit harm to the rest of the body. The team will test these nanohybrids in the lab and in animal models that mimic human bone infections to measure how well they stop bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains. Safety tests will look for any tissue toxicity or side effects from the materials. If lab and animal results are promising, the plan is to move toward approaches that could be used in clinical care for patients with open fractures.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with open bone fractures—especially those at high risk for infection or with injuries requiring bone grafting—would be the eventual candidates for therapies developed from this work.
Not a fit: People without bone injuries, those with infections unrelated to open fractures, or individuals with known sensitivity to silver may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lower infection rates after open fractures, reduce repeat surgeries, and limit use of systemic antibiotics.
How similar studies have performed: Silver-based antimicrobial coatings and nanoparticle approaches have reduced infections in preclinical work and some clinical contexts, but combining silver nanoparticles with carbon nanotubes is a newer strategy mainly at the preclinical stage.
Where this research is happening
Morgantown, United States
- West Virginia University — Morgantown, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Bingyun — West Virginia University
- Study coordinator: Li, Bingyun
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.