Nitric oxide-coated antibiotics to prevent clots and infections in ECMO and other blood-contacting devices
Nitric Oxide Functionalized Antibiotics to Combat Infections and Thrombosis for Extracorporeal Life Support
This project develops special antibiotic coatings that slowly release nitric oxide to help people on machines like ECMO avoid blood clots and device-related infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Georgia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Athens, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11266119 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I might need ECMO or another device that touches blood, this project aims to coat tubing and device surfaces with antibiotics that also release nitric oxide. The nitric oxide acts like the natural vessel lining to stop platelets from sticking and to prevent bacterial biofilms. Researchers will design and test these multifunctional coatings in the lab and in models of blood flow before moving toward use on clinical devices. The aim is to make devices safer so patients need less systemic blood thinners and have fewer infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people receiving extracorporeal life support such as ECMO or patients with long-term blood-contacting catheters or circuits who are at risk for device-associated clots or infections.
Not a fit: Patients who are not using blood-contacting medical devices or who do not face risks of device-related thrombosis or infection are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these coatings could reduce device-related clotting and infections, lowering bleeding risk and improving the safety and reliability of extracorporeal support.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory and preclinical work shows nitric oxide-releasing materials can reduce platelet activation and bacterial growth, but applying these multifunctional coatings to ECMO and large blood circuits is a newer translational step.
Where this research is happening
Athens, United States
- University of Georgia — Athens, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Handa, Hitesh — University of Georgia
- Study coordinator: Handa, Hitesh
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.