How cell shape affects cancer signaling
Official title: Data-driven mechanistic models of morphology-controlled Ras oncogenic signaling
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11054483 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the shape of cancer cells affects how they grow and survive, with the hope of finding new ways to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $140,097 |
| NIH project number | 1K99CA283246-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11054483 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with cancers that exhibit distinct cell morphology changes, particularly those undergoing treatment for melanoma or other Ras-transformed cancers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cancerous conditions or those whose cancer does not involve significant changes in cell morphology may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the shape of cancer cells influences their signaling pathways, which are crucial for their survival and growth. By examining the relationship between cell geometry and oncogenic signaling, the study aims to uncover mechanisms that could lead to better cancer diagnosis and treatment strategies. The approach combines experimental methods with computational modeling to analyze how different cell shapes impact cancer cell behavior, particularly in response to environmental changes and drug treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved cancer therapies by targeting the specific signaling pathways influenced by cell shape.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the role of cell morphology in cancer signaling, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mazloom Farsibaf, Hanieh — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Mazloom Farsibaf, Hanieh
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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.