Understanding how cells communicate in tissues using advanced technology

Graph Learning of Cell-cell Communications in Spatial Transcriptomics

NIH-funded research Yale University · NIH-11074133

This study is looking at how cells talk to each other in healthy and diseased tissues to help researchers create new tools that make it easier to understand these communication networks, which could lead to better treatments for diseases.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionYale University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New Haven, United States)
Project IDNIH-11074133 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on analyzing how cells communicate with each other in tissues by utilizing spatial barcoding-based transcriptomic data. It aims to develop new bioinformatics tools that can accurately interpret this data, allowing researchers to understand the networks of communication between different cell types. By integrating spatial information with known interactions between cell signals, the research seeks to identify differences in communication networks between healthy and diseased tissues. This approach could lead to a better understanding of disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with specific diseases that affect cell communication, such as cancer or autoimmune disorders.

Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to cell communication or those who are not undergoing tissue analysis may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of cell communication in diseases, potentially leading to new treatment strategies.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of using spatial transcriptomics is gaining traction, this specific method of analyzing cell-cell communication networks is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

New Haven, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.