How the inside layout of cells shapes metabolism over space and time
Understanding Metabolism in Space and Time – Mechanistic Analysis of the Dynamic Spatial Organization of Metabolism
This project maps how changes in a cell’s internal structure over time affect metabolism in situations like cancer and cell development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11014657 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use advanced 3D imaging (whole-cell FIB-SEM) to make high-resolution pictures of entire cells during metabolic changes such as when cells differentiate or turn cancerous. They will run deep-learning computer programs to automatically find and label organelles and other internal structures across those 3D images. The team will build mathematical algorithms to link specific architectural features to metabolic states and disease-related changes. Findings will be used to generate new ideas about how subcellular organization could influence metabolic behavior and disease outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with tumors who can donate biopsy or surgical tissue samples for research would be the most relevant candidates to support this work.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or those who cannot provide tissue or samples are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new markers in cell structure that help diagnose or predict progression of metabolic changes in diseases like cancer.
How similar studies have performed: High-resolution 3D cell imaging and AI-based segmentation have successfully mapped cell structures before, but applying whole-cell isotropic imaging to link subcellular architecture directly to metabolism and disease is largely new.
Where this research is happening
Memphis, United States
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital — Memphis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chang, Chi-Lun — St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
- Study coordinator: Chang, Chi-Lun
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.