Tiny Particles and Dressings for Tough Wound Infections
Engineered Polymer Nanoemulsions for Treatment of Wound Biofilm Infections
This research is creating new tiny particle treatments, delivered through wound dressings, to fight serious wound infections that don't respond to regular antibiotics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Amherst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hadley, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11114027 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many wound infections are hard to treat because bacteria form protective layers called biofilms and become resistant to antibiotics. This project is developing special tiny particles, called nanoemulsions, that contain essential oils and are designed to kill these tough bacteria without harming healthy cells. These nanoemulsions will be incorporated into hydrogel wound dressings, allowing for a controlled release of the treatment directly to the infection site. The goal is to provide a more effective way to clear persistent wound infections, especially those caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is foundational and not directly recruiting patients, but future clinical applications would target individuals suffering from chronic or antibiotic-resistant wound biofilm infections.
Not a fit: Patients without wound biofilm infections or those whose infections respond well to standard antibiotics may not directly benefit from this specific advanced therapeutic approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new and more effective treatments for chronic wound infections, particularly those resistant to current antibiotics.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific block copolymer nanoemulsions are new, other antimicrobial nanomaterials have shown promise in killing bacteria in biofilms, providing a basis for this innovative approach.
Where this research is happening
Hadley, United States
- University of Massachusetts Amherst — Hadley, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rotello, Vincent M. — University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Study coordinator: Rotello, Vincent M.
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.