How human cells decide to divide, pause, or age
Computational Models of the Human Cell Cycle to Reveal Disease Mechanism and Inform Treatment
Researchers are using computer models plus lab tests on human cells to learn how cells change their division behavior, which could help people with cancers, age-related conditions, and regenerative-medicine needs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11168501 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project combines advanced computer modeling with single-cell lab experiments to understand how individual human cells change their cycle of growth and rest. The team will watch human epithelial cells and embryonic stem cells as they respond to chemical and genetic changes, and as stem cells differentiate into the three primary tissue types. They will use a new statistical tool (SPCA) to track patterns in cell behavior and then test the computer model predictions in the lab. The goal is to reveal the molecular switches that push cells toward dividing, pausing, or becoming senescent.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People affected by diseases tied to abnormal cell division—such as many cancers or some degenerative conditions—are the eventual populations most likely to benefit from discoveries coming out of this work.
Not a fit: Patients looking for an immediate treatment gain or those with conditions unrelated to cell-cycle biology are unlikely to see direct benefits in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new targets and timing for therapies that prevent abnormal cell growth, improve tissue repair, or address aging-related cell dysfunction.
How similar studies have performed: Prior computational and single-cell approaches have uncovered important biology in cancer and development, but this specific combination of stochastic modeling, SPCA, and single-cell pipelines is a relatively new and ambitious approach.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Purvis, Jeremy — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Purvis, Jeremy
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.