R01HL167939
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
Manipulation of host tissue to induce a hierarchical microvasculature - Abstract
Reconstructive surgeons are tasked with the restoration of soft tissue loss irrespective of etiology. Over the past two decades, hydrogel scaffolds have become a vital platform for tissue revascularization and surgical repair. However, their slow and random vascularization upon implantation often precipitates failure and precludes true tissue regeneration and function.
Native microvascular networks are characterized by organized tree-like branching patterns that originate from large feeding vessels. Our objective is to utilize complementary regenerative strategies based upon rigorous preliminary data that enables the rapid development of this hierarchical microvasculature.
To achieve our objective, we recently developed an innovative microsurgical tactic termed vascular micropuncture (MP). In this method, small perforations are created using a needle in the recipient vasculature to facilitate cellular extravasation and angiogenesis, without causing thrombosis or significant hemorrhage. Such induced angiogenesis can be used to randomly vascularize an adjacently placed hydrogel scaffold, leading to perfusion within 24 h and a doubling of neovascularization.
With this compelling result, we propose to advance the MP method using an emerging in situ microengineering technology. We have developed granular hydrogel scaffolds (GHS) based on an extracellular matrix mimetic material with controlled microporosity that improves cell infiltration and guides vascular network formation both in vitro and in vivo. Our hypothesis is that customized GHS can be synergistically used with MP to hasten and precisely guide hierarchical microvascular development.
To test this hypothesis, we will focus on the following three independent specific aims:
1) To design and optimize GHS to guide microvascular development.
2) To evaluate the effect of MP characteristics to hasten microvascular development.
3) To evaluate the coupling effects of MP and GHS to hasten and precisely guide hierarchical microvascular development.
The successful completion of these studies should markedly improve the vascularization of scaffolds used in soft tissue reconstructive surgery. Also, it sets the platform for further investigation in building a hierarchical microvasculature that is cornerstone to blood flow regulation, oxygen diffusion, and immune cell modulation. Consequently, our novel approach holds immense potential for broadly advancing regenerative medicine.
Reconstructive surgeons are tasked with the restoration of soft tissue loss irrespective of etiology. Over the past two decades, hydrogel scaffolds have become a vital platform for tissue revascularization and surgical repair. However, their slow and random vascularization upon implantation often precipitates failure and precludes true tissue regeneration and function.
Native microvascular networks are characterized by organized tree-like branching patterns that originate from large feeding vessels. Our objective is to utilize complementary regenerative strategies based upon rigorous preliminary data that enables the rapid development of this hierarchical microvasculature.
To achieve our objective, we recently developed an innovative microsurgical tactic termed vascular micropuncture (MP). In this method, small perforations are created using a needle in the recipient vasculature to facilitate cellular extravasation and angiogenesis, without causing thrombosis or significant hemorrhage. Such induced angiogenesis can be used to randomly vascularize an adjacently placed hydrogel scaffold, leading to perfusion within 24 h and a doubling of neovascularization.
With this compelling result, we propose to advance the MP method using an emerging in situ microengineering technology. We have developed granular hydrogel scaffolds (GHS) based on an extracellular matrix mimetic material with controlled microporosity that improves cell infiltration and guides vascular network formation both in vitro and in vivo. Our hypothesis is that customized GHS can be synergistically used with MP to hasten and precisely guide hierarchical microvascular development.
To test this hypothesis, we will focus on the following three independent specific aims:
1) To design and optimize GHS to guide microvascular development.
2) To evaluate the effect of MP characteristics to hasten microvascular development.
3) To evaluate the coupling effects of MP and GHS to hasten and precisely guide hierarchical microvascular development.
The successful completion of these studies should markedly improve the vascularization of scaffolds used in soft tissue reconstructive surgery. Also, it sets the platform for further investigation in building a hierarchical microvasculature that is cornerstone to blood flow regulation, oxygen diffusion, and immune cell modulation. Consequently, our novel approach holds immense potential for broadly advancing regenerative medicine.
Funding Goals
THE NATIONAL HEART, LUNG, AND BLOOD INSTITUTE (NHLBI) PROVIDES GLOBAL LEADERSHIP FOR A RESEARCH, TRAINING, AND EDUCATION PROGRAM TO PROMOTE THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF HEART, LUNG, AND BLOOD DISEASES AND ENHANCE THE HEALTH OF ALL INDIVIDUALS SO THAT THEY CAN LIVE LONGER AND MORE FULFILLING LIVES. TO FOSTER HEART AND VASCULAR RESEARCH IN THE BASIC, TRANSLATIONAL, CLINICAL AND POPULATION SCIENCES, AND TO FOSTER TRAINING TO BUILD TALENTED YOUNG INVESTIGATORS IN THESE AREAS, FUNDED THROUGH COMPETITIVE RESEARCH TRAINING GRANTS. SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PROGRAM: TO STIMULATE TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION; USE SMALL BUSINESS TO MEET FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT NEEDS; FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION IN INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP BY SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED PERSONS; AND INCREASE PRIVATE-SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FUNDING. SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR) PROGRAM: TO STIMULATE TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION; FOSTER TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER THROUGH COOPERATIVE R&D BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESSES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, AND INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL R&D.
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
University Park,
Pennsylvania
16802
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Related Opportunity
Analysis Notes
Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 305% from $800,971 to $3,242,632.
The Pennsylvania State University was awarded
Enhancing Microvasculature with GHS and MP
Project Grant R01HL167939
worth $3,242,632
from National Heart Lung and Blood Institute in May 2023 with work to be completed primarily in University Park Pennsylvania United States.
The grant
has a duration of 4 years and
was awarded through assistance program 93.837 Cardiovascular Diseases Research.
The Project Grant was awarded through grant opportunity NIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed).
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 4/20/26
Period of Performance
5/1/23
Start Date
4/30/27
End Date
Funding Split
$3.2M
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$3.2M
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Transaction History
Modifications to R01HL167939
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
R01HL167939
SAI Number
R01HL167939-4048172449
Award ID URI
SAI UNAVAILABLE
Awardee Classifications
Other
Awarding Office
75NH00 NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Funding Office
75NH00 NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Awardee UEI
NPM2J7MSCF61
Awardee CAGE
7A720
Performance District
PA-15
Senators
Robert Casey
John Fetterman
John Fetterman
Budget Funding
| Federal Account | Budget Subfunction | Object Class | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Health and Human Services (075-0872) | Health research and training | Grants, subsidies, and contributions (41.0) | $56,972 | 100% |
Modified: 4/20/26