Understanding how cell networks shape the developing brain in mice
Official title: Quantifying the contribution of supracellular actomyosin networks during mouse neural tube closure
Funded at Massachusetts Institute of Technology · NIH-10902165 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how cells team up to create an important part of the nervous system in developing mice, focusing on the proteins that help shape these cells, and the results could help us understand what goes wrong when babies are born with certain birth defects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 1F31GM154461-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10902165 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a family history of congenital malformations or those affected by related conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with congenital malformations not related to neural tube development may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how cells work together to form the neural tube during embryonic development in mice. It focuses on the role of specific proteins that generate forces necessary for shaping tissues. By using advanced imaging techniques, the researchers aim to visualize and analyze the structure of these cellular networks at a very detailed level. The findings could help identify mechanisms that lead to congenital malformations when these processes go wrong.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and prevention of congenital malformations in humans.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding cellular mechanisms in embryonic development, making this approach promising.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Delao, Juana — Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Delao, Juana
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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.