Multiscale modeling of tissue fluidity in partial EMT cancer tissue
Official title: Multiscale modeling of fluidity in partial EMT (pEMT) planar tissues
Funded at Worcester Polytechnic Institute · NIH-11395190 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist team will study how cells in a partial epithelial-mesenchymal state move and rearrange in tissue, to understand cancer growth and tissue repair.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Worcester Polytechnic Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $246,293 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM157590-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11395190 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be patients whose cancers involve cells capable of partial EMT or researchers using human cell lines modeling pEMT.
✕Less likely to help
Current patients with cancers not involving pEMT dynamics or those unable to access research opportunities may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project will explore how tissues with hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal cells flow and rearrange, using a combination of theory and lab experiments on cell monolayers. It will create a multiscale framework to connect cell-level intercalations to large-scale tissue motion, especially after wounds. By testing cell lines with different EMT potential and applying treatments that alter their state, the study aims to map how partial EMT changes tissue fluidity. The work focuses on cancer-related contexts and tissue morphogenesis to reveal mechanisms that could influence disease progression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could uncover new ways to influence tissue flow in cancer and regeneration, potentially informing therapies that modulate tumor spread or improve healing.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in epithelial/tissue fluidity have shown that cell state affects tissue flow, but pEMT in large-scale tissue dynamics is less explored and remains exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wu, Min — Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Study coordinator: Wu, Min
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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.