Translating new nerve grafts to clinical use
Official title: Translating Novel Peripheral Nerve Allograft Technologies Toward Clinical Use
Funded at University of Texas at Austin · NIH-11617753 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to bring advanced nerve graft technology that uses PEG-fusion and localized immunosuppression to patients with nerve gaps.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $92,072 |
| NIH project number | 3R01NS128086-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11617753 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with peripheral nerve injuries involving nerve gaps who may be eligible for future translational studies or trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-nerve-related injuries or those without viable graft options may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on turning a promising nerve graft approach into a treatment that doctors can use for people with damaged nerves. It combines localized immune-suppressing methods with quick PEG-fusion of viable nerve grafts to speed and improve nerve repair. The work involves preclinical-to-clinical translation steps so that the therapy could enter patient trials in the future. Patients with segmental-loss peripheral nerve injuries may experience faster recovery and better re-innervation if successful.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could recover sensation and movement faster after nerve injuries using a graft that resists rejection and reconnects nerves quickly.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that PEG-fusion and localized immunosuppression can improve nerve repair in models, but translating to humans is still under investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bittner, George Davis — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Bittner, George Davis
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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.