Modeling how cells regulate non-genetic variability in human cells
Official title: Modeling transcriptional and post-transcriptional systems for regulating non-genetic heterogeneity in mammalian cells
Funded at University of Texas Dallas · NIH-11418942 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to understand how random differences between cells affect things like stem cell decisions and cancer cell behavior, using math models and experiments in human cell systems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Dallas NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richardson, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $395,625 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM149531-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418942 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with cancers or degenerative disorders where cell heterogeneity impacts disease behavior and treatment outcomes, though this grant itself is a basic science project.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient benefit may not be immediate, as the study is primarily laboratory and modeling work.
What this research studies
This project uses mathematical models and new ways to analyze gene networks and expression data to explain why non-genetic differences among mammalian cells persist and influence outcomes like differentiation and drug resistance. It combines theory with experiments in motor neuron differentiation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition to test a new framework called a diverging oscillator. The work could help explain why cell populations behave differently even when their genetic material is the same. By linking computational insights with laboratory data, it seeks to reveal mechanisms driving cellular heterogeneity in cancer and degeneration-related processes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of how cell-to-cell differences contribute to disease progression and treatment resistance, potentially guiding future therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that non-genetic heterogeneity influences cell fate and drug responses, suggesting potential for meaningful insights in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Dallas
Richardson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hong, Tian — University of Texas Dallas
- Study coordinator: Hong, Tian
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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.