Investigating how Hedgehog signaling controls lung development and disease
Official title: Hedgehog Signaling as a regulator of progenitor differentiation for organ maintenance and disease
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-11045334 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a specific signaling pathway in our cells affects the way lung cells develop, which could help us understand and find new treatments for lung diseases like COPD and pulmonary fibrosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $123,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HL177730-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11045334 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with lung diseases not related to Hedgehog signaling or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the role of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway in regulating the timing of lung cell differentiation during development and its potential implications for lung diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). By analyzing existing single-cell data from both mouse and human lungs, the project aims to understand how changes in Hh signaling can affect lung cell populations. The research employs a computational approach to track and characterize Hh-receiving cells, providing insights into their behavior in healthy and diseased states. Ultimately, this work seeks to identify specific genes influenced by Hh signaling that could be targeted for therapeutic interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic targets for treating lung diseases like COPD and IPF.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of signaling pathways in organ development, suggesting potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang, Xinan Holly — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Yang, Xinan Holly
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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.