Tiny polymer particles to treat babies before birth
Engineering of Polymeric Particles for Fetal Therapy
This work develops tiny, drug-carrying particles that could be delivered before birth to help repair organs harmed by prenatal conditions like congenital diaphragmatic hernia or spina bifida.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11308331 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If your pregnancy is affected by a structural problem seen on prenatal imaging, this project is building tiny polymer particles that can carry microRNA-based therapy to the fetus. The team has tested these particles in animal models and aims to improve how they reach the target: either through the fetal bloodstream (IV) for internal organs like the lung, or into the amniotic fluid (intra-amniotic) for surfaces that touch that fluid. The particles are designed to be delivered using clinical needle procedures similar to amniocentesis or fetal blood sampling, which are already used in pregnancy care. Ultimately the researchers want safer, earlier treatments that reduce organ damage without major fetal surgery.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Pregnant people carrying fetuses with prenatally diagnosed structural conditions such as congenital diaphragmatic hernia or myelomeningocele (spina bifida), especially when detected early in pregnancy, would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People without prenatal structural fetal conditions, with disorders not reachable by intra-amniotic or systemic nanoparticle delivery, or with conditions unsuitable for microRNA-based therapy are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could prevent or lessen organ damage before birth and improve development, potentially reducing the need for complex fetal surgery after diagnosis.
How similar studies have performed: Similar nanoparticle therapies have shown promising results in animal models (for example improved lung growth in a rat model of CDH), but translating this approach to humans is largely untested and remains novel.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Saltzman, W. Mark — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Saltzman, W. Mark
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.