New Ways to Control How Cells Change

Multiscale tools and approaches for understanding and engineering cell-fate transitions

NIH-funded research Massachusetts Institute of Technology · NIH-11146661

This project explores how to use biological systems to control cell behavior, especially for potential future treatments like fighting cancer.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMassachusetts Institute of Technology NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Cambridge, United States)
Project IDNIH-11146661 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This project uses advanced biological tools to understand how cells decide what they will become, like a skin cell or a muscle cell. Researchers want to learn how to guide these cell decisions, which is called cell-fate reprogramming. This knowledge could help us develop new ways to detect and fight diseases like cancer, where cells behave abnormally. By understanding how cancer genes take over normal cell processes, we hope to create new cell-based therapies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This foundational work does not directly involve patients, but future clinical applications could benefit individuals with conditions like cancer who might be candidates for advanced cell therapies.

Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment options would not directly benefit from this early-stage, foundational research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new cell-based therapies for diseases like cancer by allowing us to precisely control cell behavior.

How similar studies have performed: This project builds upon previous work to identify principles of cell-fate transitions, suggesting a foundation of existing knowledge in this emerging field.

Where this research is happening

Cambridge, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Cancer GenesCancer-Promoting Gene
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.