Understanding how cell behavior changes drive breast cancer in 3D cultures
Official title: Definition and perturbation of cell-regulatory heterogeneities in solid tumors
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11444365 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how breast cells transition toward cancer using advanced 3D cultures and patient-derived samples to uncover important cell-state changes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $100,658 |
| NIH project number | 2R50CA265089-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11444365 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals with premalignant breast lesions or early-stage breast cancer, whose tissue or cells can be grown into organoids or analyzed with advanced techniques.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without premalignant breast changes or access to tumor-derived samples may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This grant supports Dr. Lixin Wang at the University of Virginia to use cutting-edge 3D culture systems and targeted gene/protein analyses to study how premalignant breast cells become cancerous. The work combines sensitive, unbiased measurement methods with functional tests in systems that resemble real patients’ tumors. By growing zero-passage organoids from patients and testing premalignant cells from mouse models, the project aims to reveal key cell-state shifts that accompany cancer development and potential points for intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to earlier detection strategies or new targets to prevent breast cancer progression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that advanced 3D cultures can reflect patient tumor biology and premalignant transitions, supporting this approach’s potential.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Lixin — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Wang, Lixin
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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.