From pattern to function: how space shapes evolution and disease biology
Official title: From pattern to function: eco-evolutionary representations of complex spatial structure for the new era of spatial biology
Funded at Carnegie-Mellon University · NIH-11362576 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A researcher at Carnegie Mellon is developing high-resolution imaging and computer tools to understand how spatial patterns in cells influence evolution and disease processes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Carnegie-Mellon University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 27, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $380,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM147445-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11362576 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients or tissues where spatial organization and evolution of cellular populations are relevant, such as cancer or infectious disease contexts where spatial dynamics matter.
✕Less likely to help
There may be no direct benefit for individuals if the research remains at a basic science or computational level.
What this research studies
This grant ties together advanced imaging, data processing, and evolutionary biology to map how cellular patterns affect the spread of mutations. It links theoretical population genetics models with real, high-resolution images to identify spatial features that amplify or dampen evolution. The work aims to reveal how tissue architecture and cellular neighborhoods influence biological outcomes that matter for disease progression. The approach uses scalable image analysis and interdisciplinary methods to translate complex spatial data into testable ideas about evolution in living systems.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could improve our understanding of how spatial structure influences disease-related evolution, potentially informing future therapies and diagnostics.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that spatial patterns can influence evolutionary dynamics, but this project advances theory with high-resolution data and integrated imaging.
Where this research is happening
-
Carnegie-Mellon University
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Carja, Oana — Carnegie-Mellon University
- Study coordinator: Carja, Oana
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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.