Discovering how tissue bending is controlled in vertebrates
Official title: Discovering regulators of tissue mechanics driving vertebrate morphogenesis
Funded at Columbia Univ New York Morningside · NIH-11391331 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small-scale NIH grant explores how tissues bend and form loops during early development, using bird embryos to uncover molecular cues that shape organs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia Univ New York Morningside NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 13, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $452,375 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HD122403-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11391331 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable for this preclinical developmental project; findings could ultimately inform human disease related to organ morphogenesis.
✕Less likely to help
Direct benefits to patients are not expected during basic developmental studies in birds; translational implications would come later.
What this research studies
This project studies the cellular and molecular signals that cause tissues to buckle and form loops during embryonic development, focusing on the avian small intestine as a model. Researchers will examine how growth, tissue stiffness, and surrounding structures interact to create curved shapes, and they will compare different bird species to identify key regulators. The work will use modern genomic and imaging tools to link physical changes to gene activity in developing tissues. The findings could reveal targets that influence organ formation in humans and advance our understanding of congenital shape disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could improve knowledge about congenital organ shapes and identify molecular cues that guide tissue folding, potentially informing future therapies or diagnostics.
How similar studies have gone: Similar morphogenesis research in other models has revealed mechanisms linking growth, mechanics, and gene regulation; this project builds on that foundation with a focus on vertebrate gut looping.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia Univ New York Morningside
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nerurkar, Nandan L — Columbia Univ New York Morningside
- Study coordinator: Nerurkar, Nandan L
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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.