How cells move through the body's protective layers
Understanding how cells invade through basement membrane in vivo
This project explores how cells move through protective layers in the body, which is important for understanding diseases like asthma, stroke, and cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11088938 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies have protective layers called basement membranes that cells usually don't cross. However, in some healthy processes and many diseases, cells learn to break through these barriers. This project uses a tiny worm, C. elegans, as a model to watch exactly how cells invade these layers. By understanding these basic movements, we hope to learn more about how diseases like cancer spread or how inflammation damages tissues. We are looking at the dynamic interactions between cells and their surroundings at a very detailed level.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with conditions involving cell invasion, such as metastatic cancer, asthma, stroke, arthritis, or multiple sclerosis, could potentially benefit from future treatments developed from this foundational knowledge.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions do not involve abnormal cell invasion through tissue barriers may not directly benefit from this specific area of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent or treat diseases where cells inappropriately invade tissues, such as metastatic cancer or inflammatory conditions.
How similar studies have performed: This foundational work uses a well-established model organism to address mechanisms that are difficult to observe in more complex systems, building on existing knowledge of cell biology.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sherwood, David R — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Sherwood, David R
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.