Developing advanced liver models for drug testing
Official title: MPS Resources Section
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11003756 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on creating tiny models of the human liver to help test new drugs more safely and effectively, which could lead to better treatments for patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $193,995 |
| NIH project number | 5U2CTR004863-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11003756 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research are individuals with liver conditions, particularly those related to obesity and fatty liver disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without liver conditions or those not involved in drug development processes may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating and validating patient-derived liver microphysiology systems (MPS) that mimic human liver function for use in drug development. The project aims to establish quality control and validation processes for these systems, ensuring they can be reliably used in clinical settings. Patients may benefit from this research as it seeks to improve drug testing methods, potentially leading to safer and more effective treatments. The research involves collaboration with various partners to enhance the technology and resources used in the development of these systems.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and safer drug therapies for patients with liver-related conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using biomimetic systems for drug testing, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vernetti, Lawrence a — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Vernetti, Lawrence a
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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.