Engineering liver tissue grafts for better vascularization and growth control
Official title: Synthetic vascularization and regeneration in engineered tissues
Funded at Boston University (Charles River Campus) · NIH-10912439 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to grow liver tissue that can develop its own blood vessels when placed in the body, which could help improve treatments for liver conditions.
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 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $531,435 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EB033821-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10912439 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would include individuals with liver diseases or conditions that may benefit from tissue regeneration and transplantation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable liver function and no need for tissue regeneration may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating liver tissue grafts that can be manipulated to control how they grow and develop blood vessels when implanted in a living host. The approach involves using engineered models that incorporate different types of liver cells, which communicate with each other to promote vascularization. By utilizing synthetic transcription factors, the researchers aim to enhance the signaling processes that drive tissue growth and vascularization, allowing for on-demand expansion of the grafts. This innovative methodology could lead to significant advancements in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for liver diseases by providing engineered tissues that can better integrate and function in patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promise in tissue engineering and vascularization, indicating that this approach could lead to significant advancements in the field.
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.