Transforming skin cells into bladder cells for better urinary tract reconstruction
Direct conversion of fibroblasts to urothelial stem cells
This study is looking to help people with bladder issues by turning skin cells into special bladder cells that can improve bladder repairs, making surgeries safer and more effective.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11081626 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research aims to improve urinary tract reconstruction by converting fibroblasts, a type of skin cell, into urothelial stem cells, which are essential for bladder function. By using specific transcription factors, the researchers will induce this transformation and validate the results through functional assays. The goal is to create a reliable source of urothelial cells that can be used to develop better substitutes for the bladder, potentially reducing complications associated with current surgical methods.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients who have undergone or are candidates for urinary diversion surgery and are experiencing complications.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to urinary tract reconstruction or those who do not require surgical intervention may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer and more effective treatments for patients requiring urinary tract reconstruction.
How similar studies have performed: While the approach of converting fibroblasts to urothelial cells is innovative, similar techniques have shown promise in other areas of regenerative medicine, suggesting potential for success.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Prado, Kris — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Prado, Kris
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.