Role of directional stress in activating fibroblasts
Official title: The Role of Tension Anisotropy in Fibroblast Activation
Funded at New Jersey Institute of Technology · NIH-11398974 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how directional forces in tissue affect fibroblast activation and memory, with potential to improve wound healing and prevent scarring.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New Jersey Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $303,238 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR084243-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11398974 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with fibrocontractile diseases or wound-healing disorders could ultimately benefit from therapies that manage tissue stiffness and directional forces.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals without wound healing or fibrocontractile conditions may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Fibroblasts help wounds heal by generating contractile forces, but long-lasting activation can cause problems. The project will use advanced patterns to control how stiff the surrounding matrix is, the shape and size of cells, and the direction of stretch. By isolating stress anisotropy as a key factor, researchers will see if reducing directional stress can calm persistent activation. They will study effects from cells to tissue and aim to translate findings toward clinical strategies. This work builds on recent discoveries that directional stress shapes both immediate responses and lasting cellular memory in fibroblasts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new ways to guide tissue repair, reduce fibrosis, and improve healing.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work showed stress anisotropy affects fibroblast activation and memory, supporting potential for translational impact.
Where this research is happening
-
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alisafaei, Farid — New Jersey Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Alisafaei, Farid
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.