Investigating how specific proteins affect blood vessel formation
Official title: Role of SHE and ABL signaling in vascular tubulogenesis
Funded at University of South Florida · NIH-11231601 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how two proteins help control the size of blood vessels, which is important for healthy blood flow, and it uses zebrafish and human cells to learn more about how these proteins affect blood vessel development, with the hope of finding new ways to understand and treat vascular diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $104,609 |
| NIH project number | 3R01HL163161-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11231601 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with vascular disorders, particularly those experiencing issues related to blood vessel size and function.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with vascular conditions unrelated to lumen size or those who do not have a genetic component to their vascular issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate the size of blood vessel lumens, which is crucial for proper vascular development. The study examines the roles of two proteins, Abl kinase and She, in the process of tubulogenesis using advanced 3D cell culture techniques. By utilizing zebrafish models and human vascular cells, the researchers aim to uncover how these proteins influence cell behavior and lumen formation. This could lead to insights into vascular diseases characterized by abnormal blood vessel sizes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating vascular diseases associated with malformed blood vessels.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results in understanding vascular development through similar molecular signaling pathways, indicating potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Florida
Tampa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sumanas, Saulius — University of South Florida
- Study coordinator: Sumanas, Saulius
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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.