Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The University of Arizona received a $376,481 Project Grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) under the Biomedical Research and Research Training program (CFDA 93.859), effective July 1, 2026, through March 31, 2031. This award supports fundamental research to develop bioinspired design principles for clearance-resistant and stress-responsive therapeutic microcarriers. The project addresses a critical limitation in current nano/micro-particle drug delivery systems, which experience up to 90% clearance by the immune system and biological filtration mechanisms. The research will investigate how natural microparticles, such as red blood cells, maintain circulation lifespans of up to 120 days and translate those structural, mechanical, and biological properties into synthetic therapeutic carriers.

The deliverables from this research initiative include identification of principles enabling synthetic systems to adapt to biological filters while maintaining structural integrity, integration of stress-responsive mechanisms into clearance-resistant microcarriers to enhance drug retention and enable controlled release, and advancement of biodistribution efficiency for drugs delivered via synthetic carriers. The University of Arizona's team will leverage expertise in single-molecule biophysics, artificial protein design and biosynthesis, and controlled self-assembly of protein-network materials to address these research questions. This fundamental research is anticipated to improve therapeutic efficacy while reducing required drug doses and associated adverse side effects for patients receiving intravenous drug treatments.