Understanding how cells change their characteristics in response to random fluctuations
Official title: Generalized fluctuation test for deciphering phenotypic switching within cell populations
Funded at University of Delaware · NIH-11001539 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how tiny changes inside cells can cause them to behave differently, even if they started out the same, and it aims to help us understand important things like how cancer grows and how germs adapt, which could lead to better treatments for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Delaware NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $351,550 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM148351-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11001539 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with cancers or conditions where cellular behavior and phenotypic variation play a critical role in disease progression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable, non-cancerous conditions that do not involve significant cellular variability may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how random fluctuations in biochemical reactions within cells can lead to different characteristics or phenotypes in otherwise identical cells. By developing new mathematical and computational tools, the researchers aim to understand how these fluctuations affect cellular behavior and function. The study focuses on the dynamic nature of cell populations, where individual cells can switch between different states over time, which is crucial for understanding processes like cancer progression and microbial adaptation. Patients may benefit from insights gained about how cancer cells or other cells behave under varying conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better strategies for targeting cancer cells and improving treatments by understanding their behavior and adaptability.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding cellular behavior through similar mathematical and computational approaches, indicating a promising avenue for further exploration.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Delaware
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Singh, Abhyudai — University of Delaware
- Study coordinator: Singh, Abhyudai
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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.