Understanding and treating extra-skeletal bone growth (heterotopic ossification)
Mechanistic and Therapeutic Studies of Initiation and Expansion for Genetic and Acquired Heterotopic Ossification
This project tries to stop abnormal bone growth that can happen after injury or from genetic conditions for people with heterotopic ossification.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11192361 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying why bone forms outside the skeleton by examining cells, genes, and signaling pathways in mouse models and human tissue samples. They focus on a gene called GNAS and signaling proteins such as YAP and Sonic hedgehog (SHH) that appear to make nearby normal cells join the ectopic bone. Lab-grown cells, animal experiments, and analysis of patient tissue will be used to see how these signals spread and whether blocking them can stop expansion. The team aims to identify druggable targets that could be translated into treatments to prevent or limit heterotopic ossification.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with genetic forms of heterotopic ossification (such as POH) or those who develop HO after injury or surgery, especially those willing to provide tissue samples, would be the likely participants or beneficiaries.
Not a fit: People without heterotopic ossification or those unwilling or unable to provide samples or travel for study-related procedures are unlikely to directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new drug targets to prevent or reduce abnormal bone growth and lower the need for repeat surgeries.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies and analyses of human tissue have implicated these signaling pathways in HO, but no proven medical therapy has yet been established for stopping or reversing ectopic bone growth in patients.
Where this research is happening
College Station, United States
- Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr — College Station, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cong, Qian — Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr
- Study coordinator: Cong, Qian
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.