Programmable hydrogels to protect transplanted human OPCs in demyelinating disease
Official title: Programmable Hydrogels for Optimized Human Oligodendrocyte Transplantation in Demyelinating Disease
Funded at State University of New York at Buffalo · NIH-11579956 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to improve survival and integration of transplanted human oligodendrocyte precursor cells by using specially designed hydrogels to reduce cell death during delivery in demyelinating diseases like multiple sclerosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Amherst, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $64,913 |
| NIH project number | 3R01NS130130-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11579956 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be individuals with demyelinating conditions or volunteers contributing tissue samples for translational research, pending the specific trial design.
✕Less likely to help
People without demyelinating diseases or those not meeting trial criteria may not receive a direct benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project tests new shear-thinning, bioactive hydrogels that can shield human oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) from damage when they’re injected. By optimizing the gel properties, the cells may survive the delivery process and maintain their therapeutic fate in the host tissue. The work involves synthesizing and characterizing hydrogel formulations and then applying the best formulation to cell delivery in preclinical models of demyelination. The goal is to reduce graft-related inflammation and improve remyelination outcomes, bringing cell therapies closer to clinical use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could enhance the durability of transplanted OPCs and promote remyelination, potentially slowing or reversing disability in demyelinating diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show that cell survival after transplantation is a major hurdle; novel hydrogels have shown promise in preserving cell viability in related contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
State University of New York at Buffalo
Amherst, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Andreadis, Stelios T. — State University of New York at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Andreadis, Stelios T.
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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.