Mapping how cells choose to become blood cells or form blood vessels
Network models of differentiation landscapes for angiogenesis and hematopoiesis
Researchers will build computer models from single-cell data to map how cells change into blood cells or blood-vessel cells, aiming to help people with blood disorders, vision loss from macular degeneration, and diseases caused by abnormal vessel growth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Michigan State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (East Lansing, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11166391 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, this work uses single-cell RNA data to see which genes are active in individual cells as they change into different types. The team adapts an interpretable mathematical framework (a Hopfield-style associative memory model) to represent cell states and the rules that drive transitions between them. They will run computer simulations to predict which genes or pathways, when perturbed, could steer cells away from harmful behaviors like unwanted vessel growth or faulty blood-cell formation. Promising predictions will point to targets for later laboratory or clinical follow-up.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with conditions involving abnormal angiogenesis or hematopoiesis—for example age-related macular degeneration, vision loss linked to vessel growth, certain blood disorders, or related inflammatory conditions—or adults willing to donate blood or tissue samples for research are likely candidates for participation or sample contribution.
Not a fit: People without diseases related to blood vessels or blood-cell formation, children, or those seeking immediate therapeutic benefit are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from this primarily computational and hypothesis-generating work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the models could reveal new drug targets or strategies to control abnormal blood-vessel growth and blood-cell problems, potentially improving treatments for conditions like age-related macular degeneration, certain causes of blindness, arthritis-related vascular issues, and hematologic disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Other single-cell modeling efforts have successfully identified disease-related cell states and potential targets, but applying Hopfield-style associative memory models specifically to control angiogenesis and hematopoiesis is a relatively new and exploratory approach.
Where this research is happening
East Lansing, United States
- Michigan State University — East Lansing, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Piermarocchi, Carlo — Michigan State University
- Study coordinator: Piermarocchi, Carlo
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.