How cells sense the stiffness of their environment and its effects on health and disease
Official title: Informational flow from mechanosensing to signaling for extracellular matrix stiffness sensing
Funded at Michigan Technological University · NIH-10654126 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how cells sense the stiffness of the tissues around them, which can affect how they grow and move, and it's especially important for understanding issues related to aging and cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Michigan Technological University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houghton, United States) |
| Project start | September 16, 2019 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $449,834 |
| NIH project number | 2R15GM135806-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10654126 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals affected by conditions related to tissue stiffness changes, such as cancer patients or those with developmental disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to tissue stiffness or those who are not experiencing significant changes in tissue mechanics may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how cells detect changes in the stiffness of their surrounding tissue, which can influence their behavior in critical ways such as growth, movement, and survival. By focusing on a specific molecular complex called focal adhesions, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms behind how cells translate mechanical signals into biological responses. This understanding is particularly important for addressing issues related to aging and cancer, where tissue stiffness can change dramatically. The research employs advanced techniques to analyze the interactions between cells and their environment, aiming to identify potential therapeutic targets.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for treating developmental disorders and cancers by targeting the mechanisms of stiffness sensing in cells.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding cellular responses to mechanical stimuli, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Michigan Technological University
Houghton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Han, Sangyoon Joshua — Michigan Technological University
- Study coordinator: Han, Sangyoon Joshua
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.