Investigating how cell chirality affects cell connections in blood vessels
Official title: Understanding Chirality at Cell-Cell Junctions With Microscale Platforms
Funded at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute · NIH-10893942 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the shape of cells affects their connections with each other, which is important for keeping our blood vessels working properly, especially during serious health issues like lung injury and sepsis, to find new ways to help treat these conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Troy, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $305,477 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM141387-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10893942 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients suffering from acute lung injury, sepsis, or other conditions that affect vascular permeability.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with chronic conditions unrelated to vascular integrity may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the role of cell chirality in regulating cell-cell junctions, which are crucial for the function of tissues like the endothelium. Using advanced engineered platforms, the study focuses on endothelial cells to understand how chirality influences vascular permeability and the transport of substances in the bloodstream. The research aims to uncover the biophysical mechanisms behind these processes, particularly in the context of acute diseases such as lung injury and sepsis. By examining how protein kinase C (PKC) activation can reverse cell chirality, the study seeks to identify potential therapeutic targets for restoring vascular integrity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that improve vascular function and patient outcomes in acute diseases.
How similar studies have gone: While the concept of cell chirality is established, this specific approach using engineered platforms is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wan, Leo Q. — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- Study coordinator: Wan, Leo Q.
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.