The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) was awarded a $715,110 Project Grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) under the Cardiovascular Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.837). The grant, with a performance period from February 1, 2025 to November 30, 2028, will fund the preclinical evaluation of a peptide-amphiphile derived toroidal oxygen carrier prototype, referred to as "Nano-RBC." The key objectives are to: 1) design and characterize the self-assembly of the beta-turn peptide amphiphiles that form the Nano-RBC structure; 2) develop computational tools to optimize the Nano-RBC's self-assembly and functional properties; 3) analyze and optimize the Nano-RBC composition for efficient oxygen delivery in vitro; and 4) conduct exploratory pharmacokinetic profiling and biodistribution studies. Upon completion, the optimized Nano-RBC will be prepared for the next stage of preclinical evaluation and development towards potential Phase I human trials as an artificial oxygen carrier.