Exploring how brain injury affects cell interactions and structure in the brain's blood barrier
Official title: Understanding cell chirality and cell-cell interactions at neurovascular unit after brain injury
Funded at University of Michigan at Dearborn · NIH-10973503 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a brain injury affects the tiny cells that help keep your brain healthy and functioning well, and it's for anyone interested in understanding more about what happens in the brain after a traumatic injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Dearborn NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dearborn, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $465,752 |
| NIH project number | 1R15NS139138-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10973503 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced traumatic brain injuries.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-traumatic brain conditions or those who have not suffered a brain injury may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neurovascular unit (NVU), which plays a crucial role in maintaining the blood-brain barrier's integrity and regulating blood flow in the brain. After a traumatic brain injury (TBI), the functions of the NVU are disrupted, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The study will utilize an established animal model of TBI to examine changes in cell chirality and interactions among microglia, neurons, and brain microvascular endothelial cells. By employing advanced biological and engineering techniques, the research aims to uncover how these cellular changes impact the NVU's function following injury.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into brain injury recovery and potential therapeutic targets for improving brain health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding cell interactions in the brain, but this specific focus on cell chirality in the context of TBI is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Dearborn
Dearborn, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Zhi — University of Michigan at Dearborn
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Zhi
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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.