Creating engineered human skeletal muscle tissues to study stem cell function
Official title: Engineering Heterocellular Human Skeletal Muscle Tissues to Recreate and Study Native Stem Cell Niche Function
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11090546 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how muscle stem cells work in a lab-made version of human muscle to learn more about how we can help muscles heal better, especially for people dealing with aging or muscle diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $510,389 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR083155-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11090546 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with muscle degeneration issues due to aging, congenital neuromuscular disorders, or other conditions affecting muscle health.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute muscle injuries or those without underlying muscle repair issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing engineered 3D human skeletal muscle tissues to better understand how muscle stem cells, known as satellite cells, function within their natural environment. By recreating the specialized niches that support these cells, the research aims to investigate how various factors influence muscle repair and regeneration, particularly in conditions where this process is impaired, such as aging or disease. Patients may benefit from insights gained through this research, which could lead to improved treatments for muscle-related disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that enhance muscle repair and regeneration in patients with various muscle disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using engineered tissues to study muscle biology, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bursac, Nenad — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Bursac, Nenad
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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.