Tools to grow and shape epithelial tissues for organs like lung, kidney, breast, and prostate
A developmental engineering toolbox for controlled epithelial morphogenesis
This project develops lab tools that arrange cells to make more realistic tissue models of organs that are affected by developmental defects and cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11140968 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are building new engineering methods to precisely place and organize epithelial cells so lab-grown tissues mimic how organs form and branch in the body. They use DNA-based cell patterning and other micro-engineering techniques to control tissue size, cell types, and how cells mature. The focus is on epithelial sheets and tubules that line organs such as the lung, kidney, breast, and prostate because problems in these structures underlie birth defects and many cancers. These improved tissue models are intended for disease study and for screening potential therapies in the lab.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with epithelial cancers or congenital defects affecting organs like the lung, kidney, breast, or prostate may find this research relevant to future treatment development.
Not a fit: Patients with diseases unrelated to epithelial organ structure, such as many blood disorders or purely neurological conditions, are unlikely to see direct benefit from this specific work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce more realistic lab-grown organ models that speed discovery of treatments and improve understanding of cancers and developmental organ defects.
How similar studies have performed: Prior tissue engineering work has created useful organ models, but the specific DNA-based patterning and control of branching morphogenesis proposed here is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hughes, Alex — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Hughes, Alex
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.