Promoting Chronic Wound Healing with Advanced Hydrogels
Official title: Combining soluble and bound factors in microstructured hydrogels to promote chronic wound angiogenesis and healing
Funded at University of New Hampshire · NIH-11329246 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-friendly approach uses specially designed hydrogels that release and present growth-promoting signals to boost blood vessel growth and healing in chronic wounds.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New Hampshire NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $378,929 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM155450-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11329246 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with chronic wounds who could benefit from enhanced wound healing and new biomaterial therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with wounds that heal naturally or those unable to participate in biomaterials research may not experience direct benefits.
What this research studies
This project aims to design biomaterials that combine soluble factors with bound signals to guide how blood vessels form in chronic wounds. By tuning how these signals are displayed in a three-dimensional hydrogel, researchers hope to control the strength and duration of healing cues. The work involves advanced chemistry and fabrication techniques to create a new system that mimics the wound environment and supports proper tissue repair. If successful, this platform could lead to better wound closure and reduced scarring for patients with long-standing wounds.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the approach succeeds, patients with chronic wounds could experience faster healing and fewer complications due to improved blood vessel formation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous biomaterials research shows promise in guiding tissue healing, with this project aiming to advance integration of soluble and bound signals for improved outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
University of New Hampshire
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Linqing — University of New Hampshire
- Study coordinator: Li, Linqing
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Diabetic Foot Ulcer Healing Network at the University of Arizona
A NIH-supported project at the University of Arizona aims to improve healing of diabetic foot ulcers by studying biomarkers and running high-quality clinical trials.
-
Understanding how skin layers coordinate healing after injury
Researchers are studying how different layers of adult skin coordinate rapid healing after injury to prevent infection and chronic wounds.
-
Immunomodulatory therapy to speed up healing after oral cavity injuries in kids
A new approach using a drug called FTY720 aims to improve healing and reduce pain after oral injuries or palate surgery in children.
-
How diabetic wounds let Group B Streptococcus cause infections
Researchers are learning how high blood sugar, immune changes, and other bacteria in diabetic wounds help Group B Streptococcus grow and cause worse infections in people with diabetes.
-
Understanding how skin cells exchange harmful chemicals to cause injury and wound repair
A research project aims to uncover how certain chemical agents damage human skin and what happens in the early stages of blistering and inflammation.
-
Intestinal mucosal wound healing in humans
A patient-friendly look at how the lining of the gut repairs itself after injury and why this matters for conditions like inflammatory bowel disease.
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.