How calcium signals help organs grow and heal
Regulation and function of multicellular calcium signaling in organ growth and regeneration
Researchers are learning how calcium signals between cells control organ growth and repair, which could help people with Alzheimer's and other diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Notre Dame NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Notre Dame, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11264803 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research looks at how calcium ions act like messages that cells use to coordinate organ growth and repair. Scientists map calcium signaling patterns in laboratory model tissues (including fruit fly tissues) to understand how those patterns shape organ size and function. They are developing lab techniques to change those calcium signals so cells behave more healthily. Although the work is done in models, the long-term goal is to create approaches that could eventually be translated into treatments for Alzheimer's and other conditions tied to faulty calcium signaling.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Alzheimer's disease or other conditions linked to disrupted calcium signaling might eventually be candidates for therapies that arise from this research.
Not a fit: Because this is early, laboratory-based research, patients seeking immediate treatments or clinical trials are unlikely to benefit right now.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new ways to restore healthy cell communication and slow or reverse tissue damage in Alzheimer's and related conditions.
How similar studies have performed: Previous basic research has connected calcium signaling problems to neurodegeneration and tissue repair, but actively reprogramming calcium dynamics to fix disease is a relatively new and largely unproven approach.
Where this research is happening
Notre Dame, United States
- University of Notre Dame — Notre Dame, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zartman, Jeremiah James — University of Notre Dame
- Study coordinator: Zartman, Jeremiah James
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.