Biophysics and cell biology of meso-scale gap closure
Funded at University of Massachusetts Amherst · NIH-11380576 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project at a major university will study how tissues close gaps during wound healing and development, using engineered meso-scale gaps to understand the physics and biology of tissue movement.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Amherst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hadley, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $390,878 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM155279-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11380576 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to direct patient participation in this grant.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient testing is described in this grant.
What this research studies
This project uses a meso-scale gap model to explore how tissues coordinate movement and how cell interactions, the extracellular matrix, and EMT-like states influence gap closure. Researchers will combine biophysics, cell biology, and bioinformatics to map mechanical properties and molecular regulators like ERK and p53 during tissue repair. The study aims to reveal how tissue fluidity and cell intercalations contribute to organized gap closure beyond traditional crawling or purse-string mechanisms. By linking physical forces with molecular pathways, the work could illuminate new targets to improve healing and tissue engineering. The work is conducted in a way that translates basic discoveries into principles relevant for human biology and disease contexts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of tissue repair could inform improved wound therapies and tissue-engineering strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has established gap-closure mechanisms; this project proposes a novel meso-scale model and EMT-related dynamics that are less explored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Hadley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sun, Yubing — University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Study coordinator: Sun, Yubing
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.