Understanding how cell interactions affect tissue development and disorders
Official title: Cadherin regulation of planar polarity
Funded at Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr · NIH-10907551 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how cells talk to each other during human development, especially focusing on a process important for forming organs and tissues, and it aims to understand how problems with this process can lead to heart and spinal issues, using mice to learn more about potential treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hershey, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $411,663 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM150921-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10907551 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with congenital cardiac defects or other developmental disorders linked to cell communication issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with unrelated health conditions or those who do not have genetic or developmental disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how cells communicate and interact during human development, focusing on a process called planar cell polarity (PCP) that is crucial for proper organ formation and tissue patterning. By studying a specific protein, Celsr1, and its role in organizing cell junctions, the research aims to uncover the mechanisms behind developmental disorders like cardiomyopathies and neural tube defects. The approach involves using mouse models to observe how disruptions in PCP lead to these conditions, providing insights that could inform future treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating serious developmental disorders in humans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding cell signaling pathways like PCP can lead to significant advancements in treating developmental disorders, indicating a promising avenue for this investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
Hershey, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stahley, Sara N — Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Stahley, Sara N
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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.