How cells and tissues rebuild after radiation damage
Cellular plasticity and regeneration afterradiation damage in Drosophila
Using fruit flies, researchers are finding genes and small molecules that can block tumor regrowth after radiation to help people treated with radiotherapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boulder, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11254932 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses the fruit fly Drosophila to watch how tissues recover after radiation in a whole-organism setting. Scientists use precise lineage tracing, genetic screens, and chemical screens to find genes and compounds that control cell death and regeneration. Because many repair and regeneration pathways are shared with humans, the team compares fly findings to human cancer models. The aim is to turn discoveries into tools or drug leads that could eventually be tested in people who receive radiotherapy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients who have received or will receive radiotherapy for solid tumors could be candidates for future clinical trials based on these findings.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers are not treated with radiation or whose tumors use different recovery mechanisms may not benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new drug targets or treatments that prevent tumors from regrowing after radiotherapy, lowering relapse rates.
How similar studies have performed: Similar cell-death and regeneration mechanisms have been observed in vertebrate models and some chemical modifiers found in flies have shown activity in human cancer models, but clinical benefit has not yet been proven.
Where this research is happening
Boulder, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado — Boulder, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Su, Tin Tin — University of Colorado
- Study coordinator: Su, Tin Tin
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.