How curved organ surfaces change the way cell layers move
Integrative biophysical modeling for collective tissue mechanics
This work looks at how the curves and shapes of organs change how sheets of cells move and reshape during development and healing.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northeastern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11181030 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have a lung, airway, or wound-healing concern, this project studies how the curved shapes of real organs affect how layers of cells become stuck or start moving again. The team combines computer simulations with mathematical models and lab experiments on cell layers to mimic spheres, tubes, and other curved surfaces found in the body. They focus on transitions between a solid-like, nonmoving tissue and a fluid-like, moving tissue to learn how curvature and tissue topology change those behaviors. The goal is to make predictions that better match organs like alveoli, airways, and vessels rather than flat lab dishes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project does not enroll patients; people with lung, airway, vascular, or wound-healing conditions could be future beneficiaries of related clinical work.
Not a fit: Patients looking for an immediate new treatment are unlikely to benefit directly from this basic lab and computational research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of how tissues reshape could eventually inform improved strategies for repairing injured organs, preventing remodeling problems, or designing engineered tissues.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies on flat (2D) cell layers have shown jamming and unjamming behaviors, but extending these findings to curved, 3D tissue geometries is largely new.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Northeastern University — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bi, Dapeng — Northeastern University
- Study coordinator: Bi, Dapeng
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.