Regenerating skeletal muscle to treat severe muscle loss

Regenerating Vascularized and Innervated Skeletal Muscle to Treat VML Defects

NIH-funded research Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11124553

This study is looking at new ways to help people with serious muscle damage by using special cells and materials to grow new muscle tissue, with the goal of helping them regain normal muscle function.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionJohns Hopkins University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project IDNIH-11124553 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing new therapies to regenerate skeletal muscle tissue that has been severely damaged due to volumetric muscle loss (VML). It utilizes human skeletal muscle stem cells combined with innovative biomaterials to create 3D muscle grafts. The approach involves growing these cells on specialized microfibers to encourage their growth and alignment, ultimately aiming to restore normal muscle function. The study also explores the use of specific growth factors to enhance muscle regeneration and the formation of neuromuscular junctions.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced significant muscle loss due to trauma or surgical removal.

Not a fit: Patients with intact muscle tissue or those with conditions unrelated to muscle regeneration may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective treatments for patients suffering from severe muscle injuries, improving their recovery and quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using tissue engineering and stem cell approaches for muscle regeneration, indicating a potential for success in this novel application.

Where this research is happening

Baltimore, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.