Grant Award Summary

Northwestern University's Sponsored Research Division received a $440,000 Project Grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855), awarded February 10, 2026, with completion targeted for January 31, 2028. The award supports research to develop engineered supramolecular polymers displaying both fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) mimetic and collagen-binding sequences to protect endothelial cells and prevent allograft vasculopathy—a significant cause of long-term organ transplant graft loss. The research employs an ex vivo pre-treatment strategy using peptide amphiphile nanofibers to mitigate early injury to donor allografts during solid organ transplantation.

The project delivers biomedical research and development services focused on addressing an unmet clinical need in transplant medicine. Using a murine allogeneic aortic transplant model as a surrogate for studying vasculopathy in solid organs, the funded work involves engineering novel supramolecular nanostructures designed to target exposed collagen in damaged endothelial barriers and provide localized, enhanced therapeutic bioactivity. This investigator-initiated research contributes to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases' mission to advance scientific knowledge of disease mechanisms and develop innovative therapeutic interventions to improve health outcomes.