Using bispecific aptamers to attach growth factors to collagen for longer-lasting healing
Non-covalent functionalization of collagen for growth factor delivery using bispecific aptamers
This project develops a way to hold healing proteins onto collagen so people needing tissue repair could get longer-lasting, safer local treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State University, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (University Park, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11308221 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I were a patient, the researchers would create small, sticky molecules called bispecific aptamers that can bind both collagen and growth factors without chemically changing the material. They will test these aptamers in the lab to see how well they load growth factors and release them slowly, and then try the approach in living models to check safety and effectiveness. The idea is that clinics could add growth factors to off-the-shelf collagen materials when needed, avoiding complex manufacturing changes. Success would mean steadier, local delivery of healing proteins with lower doses and fewer side effects.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who need local tissue repair or regenerative help—such as those with wounds, bone or soft-tissue injuries, or surgical repair sites—would be the most likely candidates for future trials of this approach.
Not a fit: Patients who need systemic treatment, whose conditions are not helped by local biomaterial implants, or who cannot receive implanted materials would likely not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could allow lower, safer doses of growth factors that stay localized and support better tissue repair with less risk of toxicity.
How similar studies have performed: Affinity-based delivery systems have shown promise in lab and animal work, but using bispecific aptamers for non-covalent attachment to off-the-shelf biomaterials is a novel strategy.
Where this research is happening
University Park, United States
- Pennsylvania State University, the — University Park, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Yong — Pennsylvania State University, the
- Study coordinator: Wang, Yong
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.