Growing tissue-like models on paper to understand oxygen's role in diseases
Paper-based cultures supporting tissue-like structures for biochemical studies of oxygen gradients and screening applications
This work creates easy-to-use paper models that mimic real tissues to help us learn how oxygen levels affect cell behavior in conditions like breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11164498 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies' tissues are complex, with varying oxygen and nutrient levels that influence how cells function. Traditionally, scientists have used flat cell cultures, which don't fully capture this complexity. This project develops a simple, paper-based system where cells can grow in 3D, much like they do in real tissues. By stacking these cell-laden paper sheets, we can create models to precisely control and measure oxygen levels. This helps us understand how oxygen changes affect important processes, such as estrogen signaling in breast tissue and how liver cells process medicines.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational laboratory work does not directly involve patients, but future clinical applications could benefit individuals with breast cancer or those needing improved drug therapies.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct participation in a clinical trial would not find direct benefit from this basic science research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this platform could accelerate the discovery of new ways to understand and treat diseases like breast cancer and improve drug development by providing more realistic models for testing.
How similar studies have performed: This project builds upon previous successful efforts in developing this paper-based culture platform and has already shown that low oxygen levels can alter key pathways in breast cancer cells.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lockett, Matthew Ryen — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Lockett, Matthew Ryen
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 below.