Mechanical signals in breast cells that reveal aging and cancer risk
Detection of Emergent Mechanical Properties of Biologically Complex Cellular States
This project uses a sensitive device to read physical changes in breast cells that might reveal early aging or higher breast cancer risk for women, including those with BRCA gene changes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Berkeley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Berkeley, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11307035 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would provide breast epithelial cells or allow samples to be taken so researchers can measure how the cells deform and move through a tiny sensing device called mechano-NPS. The team will compare cells from younger and older women and from women with and without BRCA1/2 or PALB2 variants to find mechanical patterns linked to higher risk. They will also build computer models to predict susceptibility from those mechanical signatures. The goal is to detect risk signals that current genetic screening does not pick up.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are women able to provide breast epithelial cells or tissue samples, including those with a family history of breast cancer or known BRCA1/2/PALB2 variants and younger women interested in risk information.
Not a fit: People who cannot provide breast tissue or cell samples, or those seeking an immediate treatment for an existing breast cancer, are unlikely to directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could identify women at higher risk of breast cancer earlier than genetic tests alone, allowing for closer monitoring or preventive options.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work from the same group showed mechano-NPS can tell apart cells from younger versus older women and from high-risk mutation carriers, so applying it to risk detection builds on promising preliminary results.
Where this research is happening
Berkeley, United States
- University of California Berkeley — Berkeley, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sohn, Lydia L — University of California Berkeley
- Study coordinator: Sohn, Lydia L
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.