Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) awarded the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) a $762,758 Project Grant (CFDA 93.855: Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research) on June 24, 2026, for research focused on combating post-craniotomy infections caused by biofilm-forming bacteria. The primary deliverable is the development and implementation of 3D bioprinted bioengineered scaffolds designed to treat Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infections that form on bone flaps during craniotomy procedures. The project leverages UNMC's novel mouse model of S. aureus craniotomy infection to advance two parallel treatment strategies: targeted and refillable antibiotic administration, and controlled delivery of immune mediators to promote macrophage recruitment and activation.

The research will utilize bacterial single-cell ribonucleic acid sequencing (scRNA-seq) to explore how S. aureus adapts to immune and antibiotic pressure in vivo, providing critical insights into bacterial resistance mechanisms. This work addresses a significant clinical need, as nearly 1 million craniotomies performed annually in the United States result in infectious complications in 1–3% of cases (up to 15% at some institutions), with over 75% of infections attributable to gram-positive staphylococci. The project is scheduled for completion by May 31, 2031, and will be performed in Omaha, Nebraska.