Understanding how biomolecules shape locally delivered nanomedicines
Official title: Unraveling the Biomolecular Corona on Locally Delivered Nanomedicines
Funded at Univ of Maryland, College Park · NIH-11384186 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A researcher at the University of Maryland is studying how proteins and other biomolecules on small drug-carrying particles affect how the medicine behaves when released directly at a site in the body.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project start | August 10, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $418,769 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM160377-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11384186 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with ocular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, or vaginal conditions who could benefit from improved local drug delivery.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not receiving local delivery therapies or those without conditions that could be targeted by regional drug delivery.
What this research studies
This project looks at how the surface of locally delivered nanomedicines interacts with proteins and lipids in different body environments to influence stability, distribution, and uptake. The work uses engineering tools to examine how particle size, shape, and surface chemistry change the formation of the biomolecular corona outside of traditional serum settings. Findings could inform more effective local therapies for eye, lung, gut, and vaginal conditions with fewer side effects. It combines in vitro experiments and in vivo models to understand real-world behavior of these formulations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to smarter locally delivered drugs that stay in target tissues longer and work more effectively with fewer systemic side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that biomolecular coronas influence particle behavior; this project extends understanding to local environments beyond blood serum.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Maryland, College Park
College Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zierden Shininger, Hannah Christine — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: Zierden Shininger, Hannah Christine
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.