Understanding and Boosting Intestinal Healing

Consortium on Intestinal Regeneration and Fetal Reversion: from Atlas to Therapy

NIH-funded research Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · NIH-11180324

This project aims to understand how the intestine heals itself after injury, hoping to find new ways to help patients recover from gut damage.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCedars-Sinai Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, United States)
Project IDNIH-11180324 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

When the intestine is damaged, its cells can switch to a special 'fetal-like' state that helps them grow and repair the injury. This process, called fetal reversion, has been seen in mice after various types of damage like infections or radiation. We want to find out if this healing process also happens in the human intestine and if it's a common way for the gut to repair itself. Our goal is to create a detailed map, or 'atlas,' of how intestinal cells change during healing in both mice and humans. This atlas will help us identify key genes and pathways that drive this powerful regenerative process.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients but aims to benefit those with intestinal injuries from infections, radiation, or other causes in the future.

Not a fit: Patients without intestinal damage or those seeking immediate treatment for existing conditions would not directly benefit from this early-stage research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new therapies that activate the body's natural healing abilities to repair intestinal damage caused by various conditions.

How similar studies have performed: Fetal reversion is a relatively novel concept in intestinal regeneration, and this project seeks to systematically explore its mechanisms and relevance in humans.

Where this research is happening

Los Angeles, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.