Modulating Piezo1 channels to treat various diseases
Official title: PHARMACOLOGICAL MODULATION OF PIEZO1 CHANNELS
Funded at Western University of Health Sciences · NIH-11094025 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain channels in our cells, called Piezo1, can be adjusted with medications to help treat conditions like high blood pressure, swelling, and joint issues, and it aims to find specific molecules that can help these channels work better or slower for better health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Western University of Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pomona, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2019 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $367,686 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM130834-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11094025 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals suffering from conditions like hypertension, lymphedema, arthrogryposis, and other diseases associated with Piezo1 channel dysfunction.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to Piezo1 channels or those who do not respond to pharmacological interventions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how Piezo1 ion channels, which help cells sense mechanical forces, can be pharmacologically modulated to treat diseases such as hypertension, lymphedema, and arthrogryposis. The study aims to identify specific molecules that can either activate or inhibit these channels, using advanced techniques like high-resolution electrophysiology and machine learning. By understanding how these channels open and close, the research hopes to develop targeted therapies that could improve patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for a range of conditions linked to Piezo1 channels, potentially improving the quality of life for many patients.
How similar studies have gone: While the modulation of Piezo channels is a relatively novel approach, there is growing interest and preliminary success in targeting ion channels for therapeutic purposes in other research.
Where this research is happening
-
Western University of Health Sciences
Pomona, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lacroix, Jerome Jacques — Western University of Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Lacroix, Jerome Jacques
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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.