Targeted nanoparticle therapy to help bone-and-muscle injuries heal
Official title: Targeted Drug Delivery Systems to Regenerate Muscle-Bone Composite Tissue Injuries
Funded at University of Oregon · NIH-11371812 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A корот plain-English sentence: researchers are testing tiny, targeted particles that deliver healing drugs directly to areas where bone and muscle are damaged to speed recovery after serious injuries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oregon NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Eugene, United States) |
| Project start | September 4, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $333,508 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AR086419-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11371812 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with acute composite bone-muscle injuries eligible for non-surgical or minimally invasive therapy as part of standard care.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-healing or chronic, non-regenerative injuries or those unable to receive nanoparticle-based therapy may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests a novel nanoparticle system that homes in on damaged tissue to deliver a drug that promotes healing of both bone and muscle. The work focuses on improving regeneration for composite injuries that occur after accidents, with the goal of reducing long-term disability and healthcare costs. The study builds on previous findings that TRAP-binding nanoparticles can target fracture sites and deliver a Wnt pathway activator to accelerate healing, using a high-risk, high-reward approach in an animal and early translational context.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with complex bone-muscle injuries could heal faster and regain function sooner.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies showed enhanced healing with targeted nanoparticles in fracture models, supporting potential benefit in multi-tissue injuries.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Oregon
Eugene, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Benoit, Danielle S. — University of Oregon
- Study coordinator: Benoit, Danielle S.
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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.