Sex- and hormone-aware computer model of cartilage metabolism and drug effects
Official title: Modeling the hormonal influence on central metabolism: drug off-target prediction and protein synthesis
Funded at Montana State University - Bozeman · NIH-11564159 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist team will build and test a computer model that predicts how cartilage cells metabolize, produce matrix, and respond to drugs, with a focus on differences between men and women and how hormones affect these processes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Montana State University - Bozeman NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bozeman, United States) |
| Project start | September 14, 2026 |
| Project end | September 13, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $3,385,837 |
| NIH project number | 1OT2OD042823-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11564159 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults (both sexes) with cartilage tissue or samples, particularly peri- to postmenopausal women, may contribute primary chondrocyte data.
✕Less likely to help
Study participants providing tissues or data without cartilage involvement may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project creates a sex- and hormone-informed computer model of cellular metabolism using human cartilage cells to predict how metabolism drives cartilage matrix production and potential drug off-target effects. It will add hormonal regulation by estrogen and progesterone to the model and validate it with experiments on primary chondrocytes from men and women around menopause. Researchers will develop computational tools and a web interface so the broader scientific community can analyze data and explore personalized scenarios. A Montana State University team will collaborate to ensure the model reflects real biological differences and can be translated to human health contexts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the model could help tailor OA treatments to a patient’s sex and hormonal status and reduce unintended drug effects on cartilage.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows computational models can capture metabolic differences; this project extends to hormone modulation and drug off-targets in human cartilage.
Where this research is happening
-
Montana State University - Bozeman
Bozeman, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: June, Ronald Kent — Montana State University - Bozeman
- Study coordinator: June, Ronald Kent
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.