Nanoparticles that protect healing proteins for chronic leg, foot, and pressure wounds
Protease Resistant Growth Factor Nanoparticles for Chronic Wound Healing
This project develops nanoparticles that protect growth-factor proteins to help older adults with venous leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, or pressure sores heal better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11326716 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many chronic wounds in older adults contain high levels of enzymes that quickly break down therapeutic growth factors, making those treatments ineffective. The researchers created nanoparticles that carry growth factors and shield them from enzyme (protease) degradation, and they have shown these particles prolong growth factor life in human chronic wound fluid and improve healing in diabetic mice. This project continues development of those protease-resistant nanoparticles and prepares them for eventual use on human chronic wounds. The team aims to move the technology toward clinical testing if laboratory results remain promising.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are older adults with chronic, non-healing venous leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, or pressure ulcers that have not responded to standard care.
Not a fit: People with acute surgical wounds, uncontrolled severe infections, or wounds driven mainly by blood flow or mechanical issues that growth factors cannot address may not benefit from this therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the nanoparticles could keep healing proteins active longer at the wound site, helping chronic wounds close faster and potentially reducing the need for surgeries or amputations.
How similar studies have performed: Growth-factor therapies have worked in animal models but have largely failed in people due to enzyme degradation, so using nanoparticles to protect growth factors is promising but still early-stage and largely preclinical.
Where this research is happening
Tampa, United States
- University of South Florida — Tampa, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Koria, Piyush — University of South Florida
- Study coordinator: Koria, Piyush
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.