Lab-grown thyroid and liver models plus computer simulations to learn how dioxins disrupt thyroid hormones
Project 2 - Coupling Bioengineered and Computational Models of Thyroid Homeostasis to Support Human PCDD/F Risk-Assessment
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11121935
This project uses human cell-based lab models and computer simulations to understand how dioxin exposures can disturb thyroid hormones and affect people's health.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (EAST LANSING, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11121935 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will grow human thyroid and liver cells in linked lab systems and expose them to dioxin chemicals to observe how hormone production and breakdown are altered. They will build computer models of thyroid hormone control and link the lab results to simulations of effects across a population. By combining the microphysiological (human cell) experiments with computational modeling, the team aims to predict how environmental dioxin exposures could change thyroid hormone levels in people. The goal is to bridge lab findings with real-world risk information useful for public health decisions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with known or suspected past dioxin exposure or those with unexplained thyroid hormone abnormalities would be the most relevant to contribute clinical data or biospecimens for linked human analyses.
Not a fit: People without dioxin exposure or those seeking immediate treatment for an existing thyroid disease are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from this project in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help regulators and clinicians better predict and prevent thyroid harm from dioxin exposure, benefiting pregnant people, children, and others at risk.
How similar studies have performed: Animal and cell studies have shown that dioxins can alter thyroid hormones, but using human microphysiological thyroid/hepatocyte systems together with population-level computational models is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
EAST LANSING, UNITED STATES
- MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY — EAST LANSING, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: JOHNSON, BRIAN P. — MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: JOHNSON, BRIAN P.
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 below.