Using clickable vesicles with silk materials to improve healing
Official title: Clickable Extracellular Vesicles to Silk-Based Biomaterials for Regenerative Medicine
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10916248 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to help heal tissues by using tiny particles from stem cells mixed with a safe silk material, aiming to make treatments more effective for people needing regenerative medicine.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $703,775 |
| NIH project number | 5U01EB034450-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10916248 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions requiring tissue regeneration or repair.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions that do not involve tissue damage or require regenerative therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing regenerative medicine by utilizing extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and incorporating them into silk-based biomaterials. The team aims to use a novel azide-based click chemistry technique to securely attach these EVs to silk fibroin, which is an FDA-approved material. By doing so, they hope to create a more effective platform for tissue engineering that can better direct the body's natural healing processes. The project involves collaboration between experienced researchers and an industrial partner to ensure the technology is both innovative and applicable.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved healing and regeneration of tissues in patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using extracellular vesicles for regenerative applications, making this approach both innovative and building on existing knowledge.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vorp, David Alan — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Vorp, David Alan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Elastomeric membranes for safer pelvic organ prolapse repair
A new 3D-printed elastomeric membrane made from polycarbonate urethane is being tested to replace stiff polypropylene meshes for pelvic organ prolapse in women, aiming to reduce complications.
-
Role of hyaluronan in egg development and ovarian reserve
This grant studies how the hyaluronan matrix in the ovary affects the aging of the female reproductive system and the pool of eggs available.
-
Regulatory switches that control imprinting in early human development
This grant studies how certain genes stay “one-copy” active in early development and what goes wrong in assisted reproduction, with a focus on imprinting disorders.
-
Identifying molecular signs of imprinting errors linked to fertility treatments
This grant studies how assisted reproductive technologies may cause imprinting errors in embryos and how these errors relate to certain birth conditions, with implications for families using infertility treatments.
-
Bioadhesive vaginal film for 7-day protection against HIV, HSV, and pregnancy
A vaginal film that slowly releases antibodies to prevent HIV, HSV, and unintended pregnancy for about a week from a single use.
-
Spermatogonial stem cell transplantation and culture in patients
Researchers are testing a way to transplant or grow sperm-producing cells back in boys and men who stored tissue before cancer treatment, to help them have biological children in the future.
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.