Using friendly bacteria to help heal diabetic foot wounds
Official title: Prevention of intracellular infection in diabetic wounds by commensal Staphylococcus epidermidis
Funded at University of Miami School of Medicine · NIH-11085919 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a friendly bacteria called Staphylococcus epidermidis can help heal diabetic foot ulcers and prevent infections, with the hope of finding new treatments to keep you healthy and reduce the chances of needing an amputation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project start | May 3, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $611,834 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK136241-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11085919 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who have diabetic foot ulcers or are at risk of developing them.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-diabetic foot wounds or those who do not have diabetes may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the beneficial bacteria Staphylococcus epidermidis can help prevent infections and promote healing in diabetic foot ulcers. By understanding the relationship between this commensal bacterium and the immune response, the study aims to develop new treatments that enhance wound healing and reduce the risk of amputations. The approach involves analyzing the microbiome of diabetic patients and exploring how these bacteria can counteract harmful bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus. The ultimate goal is to create effective therapeutic strategies for patients suffering from diabetic foot complications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve healing outcomes for patients with diabetic foot ulcers and reduce the incidence of amputations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in using beneficial bacteria to improve wound healing, indicating that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Miami School of Medicine
Coral Gables, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tomic-Canic, Marjana — University of Miami School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Tomic-Canic, Marjana
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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.