Understanding cell communication in chronic wound healing
Exosomes in wound healing
This work explores how tiny packages from skin cells talk to immune cells to help heal chronic wounds, especially in people with diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11121929 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We are looking into how skin cells at the edge of a wound send out tiny messengers called exosomes to immune cells, specifically macrophages. These exosomes carry genetic information that helps calm inflammation and allows wounds to heal properly. In people with diabetes, this communication system seems to break down, causing wounds to get stuck and not heal. Our goal is to understand why this happens and how we might fix it to improve healing for chronic diabetic wounds.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is relevant for patients experiencing chronic, non-healing wounds, particularly those related to diabetes.
Not a fit: Patients with acute wounds or those whose wounds are healing normally may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to treat chronic diabetic wounds by restoring the natural healing process.
How similar studies have performed: This project builds upon novel observations about cell communication in wounds, suggesting a new direction for understanding healing mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ghatak, Subhadip — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Ghatak, Subhadip
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.