Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) awarded a $249,000 Project Grant to the University of California, Irvine, effective February 1, 2026 through January 31, 2029, under the Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.846). This award funds research to decode the repair and immunomodulatory functions of lymphatic vessels in wound healing, with the objective of advancing understanding of mechanisms underlying lymphatic vessel remodeling during skin repair and determining the role of lymphatic vessels and fluid pressure in macrophage behavior. The research aims to establish foundational knowledge that can inform development of new therapeutic interventions for lymphedema ulcers and chronic wound management.

The funded research project will deliver scientific investigation and analysis focused on elucidating how lymphatic vessel dysfunction contributes to impaired wound healing and identifying therapeutic targets for chronic wound conditions. The work includes characterization of lymphatic vessel remodeling mechanisms, assessment of immune cell infiltration patterns during repair, and investigation of fluid pressure dynamics in macrophage function. Deliverables from this three-year project are expected to generate peer-reviewed scientific findings and establish evidence-based approaches for developing clinical interventions in lymphedema and chronic wound management.