Understanding how cells and tissues change
TRANSFER GRANT: Systems Biophysics of Multiscale State Transitions in Cells and Tissues
This project aims to understand how physical forces and the environment around cells cause them to change their structure and behavior.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11086591 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies are made of cells and tissues that constantly adapt to their surroundings. This project looks at how physical factors, like pressure and the scaffolding around cells (called the extracellular matrix), influence how cells organize themselves and move. We want to discover the specific conditions that cause cells to dramatically change their shape and function, which can affect how tissues behave overall. By understanding these fundamental processes, we hope to learn how cells switch between different states, like growing or moving, which is important for health and disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This is a basic science project focused on fundamental cell biology and tissue mechanics, so it does not directly involve patient participation at this stage.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical treatments or direct participation in a human trial would not find a direct benefit from this basic science investigation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This foundational understanding of cell and tissue mechanics could eventually lead to new ways to address diseases where cell behavior goes awry, such as cancer or fibrosis.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific integrated approach may be novel, the fields of cell mechanics and biophysics have a strong history of successful discoveries that have advanced our understanding of biological processes.
Where this research is happening
Stony Brook, United States
- State University New York Stony Brook — Stony Brook, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mak, Michael — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Mak, Michael
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.