Pharmacological modulation of Piezo1 channels
Funded at Western University of Health Sciences · NIH-11331293 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new NIH grant is exploring how to control Piezo1 ion channels with drugs to treat diseases linked to mechanical sensing in the body.
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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $367,686 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM130834-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11331293 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients with conditions potentially affected by Piezo1 activity, such as hypertension, lymphedema, inflammatory diseases, or pain syndromes, who may benefit from future Piezo-targeted therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions not linked to Piezo1 activity or those who would not be eligible for future imaging/clinical trials may not benefit.
What this research studies
Piezo1 channels help cells sense mechanical forces and are involved in diseases like hypertension, lymphedema, arthrogryposis, pain, and cancer progression. The project uses advanced techniques such as electrophysiology, calcium imaging, reverse genetics, and machine-learning aided screening to understand how a small molecule (Yoda1) opens Piezo1 and to discover new compounds that can turn the channel on or off. This work combines lab experiments with computer simulations to identify selective modulators that could lead to new therapies. The study aims to fill gaps in how Piezo channels open and close at the molecular level and to find compounds that can selectively influence Piezo1 activity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could yield new medicines that modulate Piezo1 to treat pain, vascular and blood disorders, and cancer progression.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has identified Piezo1 modulators and structural insights, but selective pharmacological agents and full molecular mechanisms remain an active area of development.
Where this research is happening
-
Western University of Health Sciences
Pomona, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lacroix, Jerome — Western University of Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Lacroix, Jerome
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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.