Non-addictive pain-relieving compounds from marine microbes
Official title: Non-Addictive Analgesic Discovery from Marine Microbial Natural Products
Funded at University of Massachusetts Lowell · NIH-11266582 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A grant to discover new, non-addictive pain medicines from marine microbes using human neuron-based tests to identify promising compounds.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Lowell NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lowell, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,262,557 |
| NIH project number | 1R61NS145983-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11266582 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals suffering from chronic pain who would benefit from non-addictive analgesics.
✕Less likely to help
Patients seeking opioids or already well-managed with existing analgesics may see limited impact.
What this research studies
This project focuses on finding safe, non-addictive analgesics from marine microbial sources. Researchers will use a cutting-edge screening approach that tests compounds on human sensory neurons grown with glia, measured with microelectrode arrays to capture electrical signals related to pain. The work aims to move promising compounds toward development under a dedicated Pain Therapeutics program. If successful, it could lead to new options for people with chronic pain who want alternatives to opioids.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to effective non-addictive pain relievers for people with chronic pain.
How similar studies have gone: Similar phenotypic screening approaches using human neurons have shown potential in identifying novel analgesics, but applying natural products to this workflow is still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Lowell, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ghezzi, Chiara — University of Massachusetts Lowell
- Study coordinator: Ghezzi, Chiara
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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.