How skin cells communicate and grow during development and healing in zebrafish
Official title: Mechanism of epidermal coordination during development and regeneration in zebrafish
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11036268 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how skin cells in zebrafish work together to grow and heal, which could help us learn better ways to treat skin injuries in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $104,029 |
| NIH project number | 5K01AR082432-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11036268 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals with skin injuries or conditions that require regeneration or healing.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-skin related conditions or those who do not require tissue regeneration may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how skin cells in zebrafish coordinate their growth and behavior during both development and tissue regeneration. By using advanced imaging techniques, the study aims to understand the mechanisms that allow different layers of skin cells to communicate effectively, especially during rapid growth phases. The researchers will explore the effects of tissue tension and geometry on skin cell behavior, which could provide insights into how similar processes occur in humans. The findings may lead to improved strategies for healing damaged skin and other tissues in human patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better treatments for skin injuries and diseases in humans.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding cell communication and regeneration in various models, making this approach promising.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ramkumar, Nitya — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Ramkumar, Nitya
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.