Signals that keep skin and body linings healthy
Defining signaling networks in epithelial homeostasis
Learning how signals inside epithelial cells decide whether cells keep renewing or become specialized, which could help people with conditions where tissues become disorganized.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11177808 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This lab project looks at the signaling proteins (kinases) that control how epithelial tissues maintain the right mix of stem, dividing, and mature cells. The team uses kinome-wide approaches and single-cell measurements to map how signals change over time and lead to different cell fates. They focus in detail on two key kinases, GSK3 and CLK3, to see how multiple inputs are combined and decoded by cells. The work is done in controlled experimental systems to reveal targets that might later be tested for treating tissue disorders.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with disorders of epithelial tissues—for example chronic skin wounds, inflammatory bowel disease, or epithelial cancers—are the kinds of patients who might eventually benefit from this research.
Not a fit: Patients looking for immediate treatments or those with health problems not involving epithelial tissues (such as isolated neurological or blood disorders) are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic lab research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new molecular targets to restore healthy tissue renewal in conditions like chronic wounds, inflammatory diseases, or some cancers.
How similar studies have performed: Kinase-targeting therapies have led to successful drugs and GSK3 has known links to tissue regulation, but this detailed, systems-level single-cell mapping of GSK3 and CLK3 signaling is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Tucson, United States
- University of Arizona — Tucson, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thorne, Curtis Andrew — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Thorne, Curtis Andrew
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 below.