Manipulating chemokine environments using synthetic cells
Official title: Sensing and modulating the chemokine environment with synthetic cells
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10911003 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain signals in the body help cells move around, especially in conditions like cancer and heart disease, and aims to create new ways to guide healing cells to the right spots to improve treatments for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | August 21, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $234,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI173559-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10911003 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with conditions such as cancer, atherosclerosis, or other diseases influenced by chemokine signaling.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to chemokine signaling or those not requiring cell-based therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how chemokine gradients influence the movement of cells in the body, particularly in diseases like cancer and atherosclerosis. By developing synthetic cells, the researchers aim to control these chemokine environments to improve the recruitment of therapeutic cells to areas needing treatment. The study will explore specific chemokine receptor pathways that are crucial for cell migration and could lead to advancements in regenerative medicine. Patients may benefit from improved therapies that target these pathways more effectively.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for diseases driven by chemokine signaling, enhancing patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While the manipulation of chemokine environments is a relatively novel approach, there have been promising developments in related areas of regenerative medicine.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Allen Po-Chih — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Liu, Allen Po-Chih
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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.