How Organs Communicate to Control Body Size and Development
Inter-organ signals regulating body size, physiology anddevelopmental timing
This research explores how different organs in the body talk to each other to manage growth, body size, and overall health throughout life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11094913 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies rely on complex communication between organs to function correctly, and understanding these signals is key to addressing many health issues that arise as we age. This project aims to uncover the specific ways these communication networks work, focusing on how they respond to things like nutrition. By studying these fundamental processes, we hope to learn more about how our bodies maintain balance and develop properly.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve patient participation at this stage, but future studies building on this knowledge may seek individuals with conditions related to growth, metabolism, or aging.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct clinical intervention would not receive benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could provide new insights into the basic biological mechanisms underlying human health problems related to growth, metabolism, and aging.
How similar studies have performed: While this specific approach to understanding inter-organ communication is novel, the broader field of developmental biology and signaling pathways has seen success in identifying key regulatory mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'connor, Michael Brendan — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: O'connor, Michael Brendan
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.