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Hydrogel-mediated Bacteriophage Therapy for Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms in Chronic Wounds

Award Number: F31AI200403
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/25/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/24/2028

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Hydrogel-mediated Bacteriophage Therapy for Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms in Chronic Wounds - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSRTACT Chronic wound infections remain a major clinical obstacle, primarily due to bacterial biofilm formation that drives antimicrobial tolerance and persistent infection. Among the most frequently encountered pathogens in these wounds is Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and traditional treatment approaches such as debridement, antibiotics, and dressings, have proven ineffective in eliminating its biofilm. This project is therefore focused on developing and rigorously evaluating innovative therapies to address these treatment resistant wounds. Bacteriophages offer targeted antibacterial action with minimal toxicity and a low risk of driving resistance, making them strong candidates for localized treatment. However, their effectiveness is often limited by harsh wound conditions and by delivery approaches that do not provide sustained, protective release. Hydrogels offer an advantageous environment for stabilizing phages, protecting them from the adverse conditions of the wound and external environment, and allowing for their extended release at the infection site. Key questions remain about how phage stability, release, and antibacterial performance are affected within these materials. This proposal seeks to create and optimize a scalable framework for developing and characterizing phage-loaded hydrogels for chronic wounds. In Aim 1, we will build robust and standardized methods to evaluate phage stability, activity, and release kinetics in a range of hydrogel and phage systems. Aim 2 will systematically compare the antibacterial efficacy of these optimized phage-hydrogel formulations with clinically relevant antimicrobial hydrogels, including the assessment of any synergistic or antagonistic effects. Aim 3 will assess how the wound environment influences phage-hydrogel performance by testing in a series of biologically relevant models, including bead biofilms, engineered human skin infections, and murine wound models. By fabricating and validating these new phage- hydrogel therapies, this project will advance our understanding of phage delivery in complex wound environments and provide practical, scalable methods to support future personalized optimization and clinical translation. The insights gained from this work are expected to shape new approaches to treating chronic, antibiotic-resistant wound infections and may inform strategies for antimicrobial delivery in other challenging infectious diseases.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $38,994 )
2026	2026	OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, THE	1960 KENNY RD	COLUMBUS	OH	43210	FRANKLIN	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	5/28/2026	NEW	$38,994
2026	2026	OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, THE	1960 KENNY RD	COLUMBUS	OH	43210	FRANKLIN	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	001	1	5/28/2026	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $38,994

Grand Total All Awards = $38,994

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Hydrogel-mediated Bacteriophage Therapy for Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms in Chronic Wounds

Award Number: F31AI200403

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/25/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/24/2028

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