Understanding Germs in Diabetic Foot Wounds
Official title: The Role of the Microbiome in Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11140538 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work explores how the community of germs living in diabetic foot ulcers affects their healing for people with diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $194,400 |
| NIH project number | 5K23DK131261-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11140538 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for related future studies would be adults aged 21 and older who have diabetic foot ulcers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without diabetic foot ulcers or those under 21 years of age would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Diabetic foot ulcers are a serious complication of diabetes, often leading to amputations and increased health risks. Many factors can prevent these wounds from healing properly, and current treatments only help about half of patients. This project aims to discover if the unique collection of bacteria and other tiny organisms, called the microbiome, within these wounds plays a key role in why some ulcers don't heal. By studying how these microbiomes change over time, we hope to find new ways to help wounds close.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to treat diabetic foot ulcers, helping them heal faster and reducing the risk of amputation.
How similar studies have gone: Past observational studies have suggested a link between certain germs and non-healing wounds, but this work aims to provide a more detailed and consistent understanding.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schmidt, Brian M — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Schmidt, Brian M
Related research
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-
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-
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A study to test a combo treatment using electric field stimulation and nitric oxide to boost healing in diabetic foot ulcers.
-
Wound fluid test to predict healing in diabetic foot ulcers
This project looks for chemical signals in the fluid from diabetic foot ulcers that could tell adults with diabetes whether a wound will heal with standard care or need a different treatment.
-
MTX-001 for healing diabetic foot ulcers in people with diabetes
A first–in–class biologic therapy called MTX-001 is being tested to help heal diabetic foot ulcers and reduce infection risk in adults with diabetes.
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.