Developing a method to control cell death using temperature in animals
Official title: A molecular toolbox for thermal control of programmed cell death in animals
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11108531 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to safely trigger specific types of cell death in living animals by changing their temperature, which could help us learn more about how to improve cancer treatments and understand how the immune system reacts to cancer cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $545,682 |
| NIH project number | 1R01EB037456-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11108531 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with cancers that may benefit from innovative therapies targeting programmed cell death.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cancerous conditions or those who do not respond to immunotherapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to create a molecular toolbox that allows for the non-invasive triggering of specific cell death pathways in living animals using temperature changes. By utilizing safe and tunable temperature stimuli, the researchers will be able to control the timing and location of cell death, which is crucial for studying its effects on cancer treatment. The approach focuses on three types of programmed cell death: apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis, and will be tested in mouse models of human cancer. This innovative method seeks to improve our understanding of cancer therapies and the immune response to cancer cells.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and targeted cancer treatments by harnessing the body's immune response to eliminate cancer cells.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using temperature to control cell death is innovative, similar methodologies have shown promise in preliminary studies, indicating potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bugaj, Lukasz — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Bugaj, Lukasz
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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.