How cells use membrane shape and signals to move
Decoding dynamic interplay between signaling and membranes in chemotaxis by molecular actuators
This project uses tiny molecular tools to show how membrane shape and internal signals help cells move, which is important for cancer spread and healing.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11345397 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team will build and use molecular 'actuators' that can change and sense membrane curvature and dynamics inside moving cells. They will watch how those membrane changes interact with the cell's signaling and actin machinery to form protrusions like filopodia and lamellipodia. Experiments are lab-based using live cells and high-resolution imaging to track these fast events. By linking biochemical reactions with physical membrane behavior, the work aims to explain how cells steer during migration in processes related to cancer metastasis and arthritis.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Although this lab project does not enroll patients, its findings are most relevant to people with metastatic cancer or inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and could inform future trials.
Not a fit: People with health issues unrelated to cell movement or those needing immediate medical treatment are unlikely to get direct benefit from this lab-based research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal new targets to stop cancer cells from spreading and improve treatments for wound healing and inflammatory diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has mapped signaling pathways in cell migration, but using engineered molecular actuators to directly probe and alter membrane curvature inside live cells is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Inoue, Takanari — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Inoue, Takanari
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.