# Novel biomaterials for IBD treatment

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · 2021 · $634,433

## Abstract

Abstract
Over 3 million U.S. adults are diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The current IBD therapies, such
as immunosuppressants and biologics, treat the symptoms of IBD; however, they generally do not address the
underlying causes, including defective intestinal barrier functions, abnormal levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines
and immune cells, and dysregulated gut commensal microbes. Thus, there exists a critical need for new
approaches for treatment of IBD. Moreover, gut microbiome is emerging as the next frontier in drug development.
However, it remains unknown how to effectively regulate the gut microbiome for therapeutic purposes. Our long-
term research goal is to develop new gut-targeted strategies for modulating innate immunity and gut microbiome.
Our objectives in this application is to generate new fundamental knowledge on biomaterial parameters for
efficient targeting of inflamed colon and subsequent restoration of intestinal barrier functions and healthy gut
microbiota in IBD. Toward this goal, we have developed a new biomaterial system that can target inflamed colon
and initiate healing responses in inflamed colonic epithelium. Here, using our biomaterial system as a starting
platform, we seek to uncover new materials criteria for designing biomaterials for optimal colon targeting (Aim
1), regulation of innate immunity (Aim 2), and modulation of the gut microbiota (Aim 3) in the context of IBD.
Overall, successful completion of our proposal will enable colon-targeted drug delivery systems that will exert
potent efficacy against IBD.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10146368
- **Project number:** 5R01DK125087-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- **Principal Investigator:** Nobuhiko Kamada
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $634,433
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-05-01 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10146368

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10146368, Novel biomaterials for IBD treatment (5R01DK125087-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10146368. Licensed CC0.

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