Mechanical timing in the developing fetus
Mechanical Clocks During Fetal Development
This project looks at how physical forces and fluid pressure in the womb help set the timing of organ growth and how those timing differences could lead to problems later in life like asthma or type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Princeton University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Princeton, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11164795 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, this research explores how the body’s physical forces during fetal growth work like a clock to time when organs form. Scientists will study embryos and tissues in the lab to measure fluid pressure, muscle contractions, and how those forces affect organ shapes and cell behaviors. The team uses imaging, mechanical measurements, and genetic or molecular experiments in model systems to see how changing those forces alters development. By linking early mechanical cues to later disease risks, the work aims to explain why some birth defects or adult conditions begin before birth.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Human participation, if any, would most likely involve donating pregnancy-related samples or data (for example placental or fetal tissue samples) or enrolling in observational protocols, typically available to pregnant people or new parents working with the research team.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate treatment for asthma, diabetes, or other chronic conditions would not directly benefit from this basic lab research in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new early-life mechanisms that explain risk for chronic diseases and point to prevention strategies before symptoms appear.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies have shown that mechanical forces can influence organ development, but applying the concept of a fetal 'mechanical clock' to explain adult disease risk is a newer direction.
Where this research is happening
Princeton, UNITED STATES
- Princeton University — Princeton, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nelson, Celeste M — Princeton University
- Study coordinator: Nelson, Celeste M
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.