Scar-free ligament healing inspired by zebrafish regeneration
Official title: Breaking the balance of protease activity and ECM remodeling in ligament regeneration
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11434474 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how zebrafish repair ligaments without scarring to find ideas that could help people recover better after ligament injuries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 6, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $621,950 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DE036268-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11434474 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients with acute ligament injuries seeking improved healing and reduced scar formation.
✕Less likely to help
The study is in basic science using models and will not involve patient treatment in its current form; direct benefits to patients would require future translation.
What this research studies
This project looks at how ligaments heal in zebrafish to understand how to promote scar-free repair in humans. By examining how the extracellular matrix is remodeled after acute ligament injury, the team aims to uncover molecular signals that support healthy tissue regeneration. The findings could point to new approaches for improving healing of acute injuries and reducing chronic joint problems in patients. The work uses a regenerative model to identify targets that might translate into human therapies for ligaments and connective tissues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to strategies that reduce scarring after ligament injuries and improve long-term joint function for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in regenerative models suggests ECM remodeling is key to scar-free healing, supporting potential for translation to human therapies.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smeeton, Joanna Marjorie — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Smeeton, Joanna Marjorie
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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.