NIH-funded research R15 grant

How yeast cells communicate and form patterns

Official title: Cell-cell signaling and pattern formation in yeast

Funded at University of Missouri Kansas City · NIH-11043921 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study looks at how yeast cells talk to each other to create organized groups, which could help us learn more about how similar communication works in human tissues, both healthy and unhealthy.

Quick facts

Grant typeR15 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Missouri Kansas City
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Kansas City, United States)
Project startSeptember 18, 2024
Project endAugust 31, 2027
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$469,500
NIH project number1R15GM154311-01A1
Project IDNIH-11043921 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals with conditions related to cellular communication and signaling pathways.

Less likely to help

Patients with conditions unrelated to cellular communication or those not affected by signaling pathways may not receive any benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates how yeast cells communicate with each other to form organized patterns within their colonies. By studying the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the researchers aim to understand the role of secreted metabolites as signals that facilitate cell-to-cell communication. The project will utilize genetic techniques and observations of yeast colonies to explore the mechanisms behind this communication and its implications for both healthy and diseased tissues in humans.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of cellular communication, potentially leading to new insights in treating diseases related to cell signaling.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding cellular communication in other microbial models, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Missouri Kansas City
    Kansas City, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Honigberg, Saul M — University of Missouri Kansas City
  • Study coordinator: Honigberg, Saul M

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.