Improving the efficiency of converting non-muscle cells into muscle cells
Official title: Enhance myogenic transdifferentiation efficiency using engineering approaches
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-10835117 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at new ways to turn regular body cells into muscle cells that can help with muscle repair and understanding muscle diseases, making the process quicker and safer for people who need better treatments for muscle disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $157,596 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AR082564-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10835117 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with muscle disorders or myopathies who may benefit from advanced muscle cell therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-muscle related conditions or those who do not have muscle disorders may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the process of converting non-muscle somatic cells into myogenic cells, which are essential for muscle repair and disease modeling. By using innovative engineering approaches, the project aims to increase the efficiency of this direct reprogramming technique, making it faster and safer for therapeutic applications. The researchers will utilize high-throughput screening methods to identify optimal conditions for reprogramming, while ensuring that the resulting muscle cells retain important characteristics related to aging and disease. This could lead to better treatments for muscle disorders and improved understanding of muscle diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide patients with more effective and personalized therapies for muscle diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in similar approaches to direct reprogramming, indicating potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shen, Wei — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Shen, Wei
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.