Compression-sensitive cadherin junction: how cells stick under pressure
Official title: Structure, function, and mechanobiology of a compression-sensitive cell-cell junction
Funded at Boston University (Charles River Campus) · NIH-11404950 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at Boston University will identify and describe a newly found cell-adhesion junction that forms when cells experience compressive forces, and explain its role in human biology.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University (Charles River Campus) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $615,739 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL175072-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11404950 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with healthy or diseased tissues where cell junctions and mechanotransduction are relevant may benefit from advances in this research.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without access to related clinical advances or those outside research contexts may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers at Boston University will map the components and structure of a compression-sensitive cadherin-based cell-cell junction. They will study how this junction responds to mechanical compression, and what signals it uses to organize at the cell surface. The project uses interdisciplinary methods to define molecular participants, the arrangement of the junction, and the consequences for cell behavior in human-relevant contexts. The findings could reveal new ways cells sense force and maintain tissue integrity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding this junction could lead to new insights into tissue health and diseases where mechanical forces play a role, potentially guiding future therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Adhesion strengthening and force-responsive junctions are well-studied, but compression-triggered cadherin junctions are less explored, making this a relatively novel area with emerging supporting evidence.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University (Charles River Campus)
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Christopher S — Boston University (Charles River Campus)
- Study coordinator: Chen, Christopher S
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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.