Understanding how adult stem cells grow and change in the male reproductive system
Regulation of proliferation and differentiation in the male germ line adult stem cell lineage
This work explores how adult stem cells in the body know when to multiply and when to develop into specialized cells, which is vital for maintaining healthy tissues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11089115 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies constantly replace cells in tissues like blood and skin using adult stem cells. This project looks at the tiny details of how these stem cells decide whether to make more copies of themselves or to transform into specific cell types. When this process goes wrong, it can lead to serious health problems like cancer or tissue damage. By studying this process in a model system, we hope to uncover fundamental rules that apply to human health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve patient participation, but future clinical applications could benefit individuals with conditions related to stem cell dysfunction, such as certain cancers or tissue repair needs.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct clinical intervention would not find direct benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a better understanding of how to prevent or treat diseases like cancer and tissue degeneration that arise from problems with stem cell regulation.
How similar studies have performed: While this specific approach in Drosophila is novel for some aspects, the broader field of stem cell biology has seen success in understanding fundamental mechanisms using model organisms.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fuller, Margaret T — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Fuller, Margaret T
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.