Targeted gene editing to heal diabetes-related skin ulcers
Cell Specific Gene Editing to Close Diabetic Wounds
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · NIH-11290803
This project develops targeted gene-editing methods to help people with diabetes heal chronic skin ulcers.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11290803 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
As someone with a diabetic wound, you'll hear that researchers are studying genetic differences found at the edge of non-healing ulcers that may block the genes needed for skin to close. They identified many single-letter DNA changes and a signaling hub around the NOTCH1 gene and will study patient wound-edge samples alongside cell and animal models. The team plans to build cell-specific gene-editing tools to restore normal gene activity in wound-edge cells and test whether this improves closure in lab and preclinical experiments. Over the course of the project they will compare genetic patterns in patients' wounds and refine the editing approach toward treatments that could be used in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults with diabetes who have chronic, non-healing skin ulcers (such as diabetic foot ulcers) that have not closed with usual care.
Not a fit: People without diabetes or without chronic ulcers, or those with wounds caused by unrelated conditions, are unlikely to benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new treatments that speed healing of diabetic ulcers and reduce the risk of amputation.
How similar studies have performed: Gene-editing for wound healing is largely novel and mostly tested in lab and animal studies, while some gene- or growth-factor therapies have shown limited success in early human trials.
Where this research is happening
PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH — PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SEN, CHANDAN K — UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- Study coordinator: SEN, CHANDAN K
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.
Conditions: Cancers, Complications of Diabetes Mellitus