Hyaluronan's role in how your tissues respond to physical forces
Official title: Role of Hyaluronan in Modulating Multiscale Biological Responses to Mechanical Stimuli
Funded at Purdue University · NIH-11426564 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how a tiny sugar called hyaluronan helps tissues like bone marrow and fat respond to physical stress, which matters for heart disease and aging.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Purdue University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (West Lafayette, United States) |
| Project start | July 10, 2026 |
| Project end | March 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $422,191 |
| NIH project number | 1R35GM165423-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11426564 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with or at risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease who have bone marrow or adipose tissue involvement may indirectly benefit from advances in this research.
✕Less likely to help
Direct treatment or trial enrollment is not part of this basic mechanobiology grant.
What this research studies
If this project succeeds, it will map how hyaluronan chips in with mechanics at the level of cells, tissues, and the whole body, focusing on bone marrow- and adipose-derived stromal cells. The research will use models that simulate tissue stiffness and mechanical loading to see how hyaluronan production and breakdown change. By understanding these mechanobiological loops, scientists hope to uncover new ways to support tissue health in people with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The work is led by Purdue University scientists and aims to translate basic insights into mechanisms that could influence future therapies or diagnostics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A better understanding of how tissue mechanics interact with hyaluronan could lead to new approaches to prevent or treat cardiovascular disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows hyaluronan is linked to tissue mechanics, but this project extends the understanding to multiple length scales and specific human-relevant cell populations.
Where this research is happening
-
Purdue University
West Lafayette, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chan, Deva D — Purdue University
- Study coordinator: Chan, Deva D
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Meltblown scaffolds to help irreparable rotator cuff tears
A new 3-D biomaterial scaffold made from meltblown technology aims to improve interposition grafts for people with irreparable rotator cuff tears.
-
Targeting how RMS cells fail to mature to slow or stop pediatric muscle cancer spread
A project to understand why a pediatric muscle cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma spreads, and to test ideas that could slow or stop it by helping cancer cells mature properly.
-
Risk stratification of malaria in school-age children using mobile eye-based spectroscopy
A low-cost, phone-based method uses pictures of the inner eyelid to identify which children in high-risk areas should get malaria tests.
-
Dual-AAV gene replacement approach for SCN2A-related neurodevelopmental disorders
A gene therapy approach using two AAV vectors to restore SCN2A function in children with SCN2A-related neurodevelopmental disorders.
-
Personalized use of newer diabetes medicines for Type 2 diabetes
Aiming to tailor use of newer glucose-lowering drugs for people with type 2 diabetes to improve health and access in real-world settings.
-
Intelligent social risk management for people with Alzheimer's and related dementias
Aimed at people living with dementia, this project uses AI and real-world health data to identify and address social factors that affect their care and quality of life.
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.