Using special materials to help heal burn wounds in veterans
Official title: Immunomodulatory biomaterials for regenerative healing of burn wounds
Funded at VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System · NIH-10980515 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring new materials to help heal burn wounds better, especially for military personnel, by using a special gel that encourages the skin to heal naturally and reduces scarring, which could lead to improved recovery and quality of life for those affected.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | November 1, 2022 |
| Project end | October 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX005720-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10980515 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults, especially veterans, who have suffered from severe burn injuries.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with minor burns or those who do not have significant scarring may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing innovative biomaterials that can enhance the healing process of burn wounds, particularly for military personnel who suffer from severe scarring and impaired skin function. The approach involves using a unique hydrogel that can stimulate the immune response to promote skin regeneration instead of fibrosis. By combining advanced techniques in molecular biology and bioengineering, the research aims to understand the mechanisms behind wound healing and to create formulations that encourage the regeneration of hair follicles and other skin structures. Patients may benefit from therapies that could significantly improve their recovery and quality of life after burn injuries.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that restore skin function and appearance for burn victims, particularly veterans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in using biomaterials for wound healing, but this specific approach is novel and untested in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Scumpia, Philip — VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Scumpia, Philip
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding social disconnection in schizophrenia using digital signals and brain data
This grant explores how smartphones, social networks, and brain imaging can reveal why Veterans with schizophrenia have trouble forming and maintaining relationships, with the goal of guiding better treatments.
-
New therapies for essential tremor from cannabidiol mechanisms
A patient-facing overview of how cannabis-based medicines might help tremor by targeting specific brain receptors, aiming to find better and better tolerated treatments for essential tremor.
-
Overcoming platinum resistance in ovarian cancer: finding biomarkers and new targets
Researchers are looking for new biomarkers and targets to help prevent or overcome platinum resistance in high‑risk ovarian cancer so patients have better chances at long-term control.
-
Improving Community Integration for Homeless Veterans with Serious Mental Illness (MI-CBT with Mobile Tech)
A pilot program tests a buddy-style MI-CBT intervention delivered in person and by phone/online to help veterans with serious mental illness who are experiencing homelessness stay connected, function better, and engage in daily activities after moving into permanent housing.
-
Bone marrow pH and multiple myeloma progression in veterans
This project looks at how the acidity inside bone marrow affects how multiple myeloma behaves and responds to treatment in veterans.
-
VA psychiatry research career award advances brain-imaging and synapse biology for veterans
A VA clinician-researcher is receiving support to build a long-term research program using brain imaging and molecular brain measures to understand mental illnesses in Veterans and identify new treatment targets.
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.