Using nanomedicine to prevent inflammation-related preterm birth.
Official title: Nanomedicine-based approach for characterizing the epigenome in prevention of inflammation-induced preterm birth.
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10986100 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to help prevent early births by using tiny medicine particles to deliver treatments directly where they're needed, and it's aimed at helping women who are at risk of having preterm babies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | December 21, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $608,481 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD108905-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10986100 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women at high risk for preterm birth due to inflammation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those with no risk factors for preterm birth may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel approach to prevent preterm birth by utilizing nanomedicine to deliver therapeutics directly to the reproductive tract. The study focuses on understanding the epigenome's role in inflammation-induced preterm birth and employs a mouse model to test the effectiveness of histone deacetylase inhibitors. By enhancing the delivery of these therapeutics, the research aims to improve pregnancy outcomes and fetal development. Patients may benefit from insights gained that could lead to new treatments for at-risk women.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative therapies that significantly reduce the incidence of preterm births and improve outcomes for newborns.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach is innovative, similar research has shown promise in using targeted therapies to address complications in pregnancy, indicating potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ensign, Laura — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Ensign, Laura
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Screening and treatment of Chlamydia infection in pregnancy to help prevent preterm birth
This grant studies whether screening pregnant people for Chlamydia trachomatis and treating those who are positive can reduce the risk of preterm birth.
-
Xylitol to Prevent Periodontal Disease and Preterm Birth in Pregnancy and Early Childhood
A safe, inexpensive chewable gum approach using xylitol is tested to help pregnant people reduce gum disease and lower the chance of preterm birth and related child health problems.
-
Screening and treatment for Chlamydia infection to help prevent preterm birth
A study in pregnant people will test whether screening for Chlamydia trachomatis and treating it during pregnancy can reduce the risk of babies being born too early.
-
IL-9 Signaling and Immune-Driven Preterm Birth
This NIH grant supports training a physician-scientist to lead a new lab studying how immune signals, especially IL-9, affect preterm birth.
-
Predicting Preterm Birth with Longitudinal Multi-Omics Data
A new, patient-friendly approach uses time-aware omics data from pregnancy to better predict preterm birth and uncover underlying biology.
-
Skeletal health after preterm birth in adults
Researchers will study why people born prematurely have weaker bones and fractures, starting in infancy and following into adulthood.
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.