Organoid models to study how fibroblasts talk to epithelial cells and the surrounding matrix
Official title: Novel organoid models to resolve fibroblast-epithelial-ECM niche regulation
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11426638 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study using 3D organoid systems to understand how fibroblasts communicate with nearby epithelial cells and remodel the surrounding matrix, with relevance to cancer and fibrosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $427,625 |
| NIH project number | 1R35GM165724-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11426638 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients with cancers or fibrotic conditions where fibroblast-epithelial interactions are crucial for disease progression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without diseases involving fibroblast-epithelial interactions may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will build 3D organoid cultures combining epithelial cells and fibroblasts to precisely control the surrounding extracellular matrix. They will identify key signaling pathways between fibroblasts and basal epithelial cells and test how changing fibroblast identity affects their communication. The project also links these organoid models with genetically engineered mice to explore how specific signals drive tissue remodeling in disease. This approach aims to reveal fundamental rules of cell communication that could inform therapies for cancer and fibrotic diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets to disrupt harmful cell signaling in cancer and fibrosis, potentially guiding better therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Organoid models have shown promise in recapitulating human tissue interactions, supporting the potential value of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jones, Dakota L — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Jones, Dakota L
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.