Understanding how cells heal wounds differently
Spatio-temporal cellular dynamics regulating differential healing outcomes
This work explores how cells heal wounds in the mouth and skin, and how this process goes wrong in chronic wounds and cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11174441 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies are amazing at healing injuries, but sometimes this process doesn't work as it should. This project looks closely at how different cells work together during healing, comparing fast-healing mouth wounds with slower-healing skin wounds. We also want to understand what happens when healing goes wrong, leading to problems like chronic wounds or even cancer. By using advanced technologies, we hope to find key moments where healing can be improved or prevented from becoming harmful.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve patient participation at this stage, but future studies building on this knowledge may seek individuals with chronic wounds, oral injuries, or certain cancers.
Not a fit: Patients not experiencing issues with wound healing or those without conditions related to abnormal tissue repair may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to improve wound healing, prevent chronic wounds, and better understand how cancer develops from abnormal healing processes.
How similar studies have performed: While the general understanding of wound healing is established, this project uses innovative single-cell and spatial sequencing technologies to compare different healing outcomes at a very detailed level, making its approach novel.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, UNITED STATES
- University of Illinois at Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wietecha, Mateusz S — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Wietecha, Mateusz S
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.