Using silk grafts to repair long urethral strictures
Official title: Drug Eluting Silk Fibroin Grafts for Repair of Long Urethral Strictures
Funded at University of California-Irvine · NIH-10997443 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to help people with long urethral strictures, like those caused by hypospadias or injuries, by using special silk grafts that can help heal the area better and improve urinary function, potentially offering a gentler and more effective treatment than what’s currently available.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $586,651 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK131211-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10997443 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from long urethral strictures due to congenital abnormalities or trauma.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with short urethral strictures or those who do not require surgical intervention may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of silk fibroin grafts to repair long urethral strictures caused by conditions like hypospadias and trauma. The approach involves creating bi-layer scaffolds that can deliver stem cell homing factors directly to the damaged area, promoting healing and restoring normal urinary function. The study will utilize large animal models to test the effectiveness of these grafts in improving outcomes compared to traditional methods. Patients may benefit from a less invasive and more effective treatment option for urethral repair.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a more effective and less invasive treatment option for patients with long urethral strictures.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using biomaterials for tissue repair, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mauney, Joshua Robert — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Mauney, Joshua Robert
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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.