How local growth hormone affects the cells that line the colon
Mechanisms for GH action on epithelial cells
Researchers are looking at whether growth hormone made in body tissues causes DNA damage in the colon lining as people age.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11325797 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project focuses on growth hormone made locally in tissues (npGH) and whether it promotes DNA damage and instability in colon lining cells with age. Scientists will use lab-grown human colon organoids and Colon Intestine‑Chip microfluidic devices to recreate the colon environment and observe npGH effects on DNA repair and cell behavior. They will analyze human colon tissue samples from people of different ages, apply spatial genomic profiling to find which cells express npGH, and use CRISPR tools to test cause-and-effect. Together these methods aim to show if npGH is a marker of epithelial aging and a driver of chromosomal instability.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults, especially older adults, who can provide colon tissue or consent to use leftover biopsy or surgical tissue for research.
Not a fit: People who cannot or do not want to donate tissue, or those seeking an immediate clinical treatment, are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If confirmed, this work could reveal markers or therapeutic targets to lower age-related DNA damage and potentially reduce colon cancer risk.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary lab data show npGH increases in aged colon tissue, but using organoids, chips, spatial genomics and CRISPR to establish causality is relatively new and not yet proven clinically.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Melmed, Shlomo — Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Melmed, Shlomo
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.