Understanding how cells change during bone fracture healing
Official title: Cell Transitions during Bone Fracture Healing
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10931443 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how different cells in your body help heal bone fractures, especially how they change and adapt to the conditions around them, with the goal of finding ways to make healing faster and better for people with broken bones.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $538,313 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR081671-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10931443 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who have experienced bone fractures.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-bone-related injuries or conditions may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the complex processes involved in bone fracture healing, focusing on how different types of cells transition and differentiate in response to mechanical environments. It explores the concept of 'paligenosis,' where fully differentiated cells can revert to a stem cell-like state, allowing them to become various cell types necessary for healing. The study aims to understand how these cell transitions occur, particularly how periosteal cells respond to mechanical stability or instability during the healing process. By examining these mechanisms, the research seeks to identify factors that could improve healing outcomes for patients with bone fractures.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments and strategies for enhancing bone healing in patients with fractures.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding cell differentiation and healing processes, suggesting that this approach could yield significant insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Marcucio, Ralph S — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Marcucio, Ralph S
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Adenosine-based help to speed up bone fracture healing in older adults
A biomaterial-based approach delivers adenosine locally to fractures to speed healing in aging bones.
-
Role of Schwann Cell Precursors in Fracture Healing
This NIH grant explores how a specific nerve-support cell type called Schwann cell precursors may influence bone healing and pain after fractures, using mouse models to map how these cells behave during healing.
-
Longitudinal imaging to predict bone fracture healing using light-based tech
Aims to use safe light-based imaging over time to see how healing bones in people with fractures progress and whether early signals predict problems.
-
Rejuvenating B cells to help older people heal broken bones
Aims to boost aged B cells to improve how bone heals after fractures in older patients.
-
Intermittent Fasting to Boost Fracture Healing in Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes
A study tests whether intermittent fasting can improve bone healing in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes by changing the gut microbiome.
-
Next-Generation MRI to Predict Bone Healing Using Virtual Testing
A new MRI-based method uses advanced imaging and computer models to predict how well broken bones are healing, starting with shinbone (tibial) fractures.
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.