Understanding how cells in the colon work together to create rhythmic movements
Official title: Defining and modeling the cellular interactions for rhythmic colon motility
Funded at Mayo Clinic Rochester · NIH-10920387 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain cells in your gut work together to help your colon move properly, which is important for digestion, and it aims to find out more about how these movements happen even when there's no food in your system, to help improve understanding of gut problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $490,597 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK136906-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10920387 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing gastrointestinal motility disorders or related colonic diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-gastrointestinal conditions or those without any motility issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the cellular interactions that contribute to the rhythmic motility of the colon, which is essential for digestive health. It focuses on the enteric nervous system and interstitial cells of Cajal, examining how these cells communicate and coordinate to produce motor patterns necessary for moving fecal contents. By utilizing experimental measurements and computer models, the research aims to uncover the mechanisms behind spontaneous rhythmic contractions in the colon, particularly in the absence of fecal matter. This could lead to a better understanding of colonic diseases and dysfunctions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for gastrointestinal motility disorders, enhancing patient quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding gastrointestinal motility through similar cellular interaction models, indicating a potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith-Edwards, Kristen Michelle — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Smith-Edwards, Kristen Michelle
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
All of Us Biobank expansion and biospecimen program
A large Mayo Clinic–led project to collect and store biological samples from a diverse group of adults in the U.S. to advance precision medicine.
-
How baclofen and spinal cord stimulation interact in people with spinal cord injury
This study looks at how a common antispasmodic medicine (baclofen) works together with spinal cord stimulation in people who have spinal cord injuries and live with spasticity.
-
Pragmatic midodrine trial to reduce ICU vasopressor use in septic shock
A practical, patient-focused trial tests whether taking oral midodrine can lessen the need for IV vasopressors and shorten ICU stays for people with sepsis-related low blood pressure.
-
Estrogen’s role in eye pressure and glaucoma risk
A Mayo Clinic team is studying how estrogen and its receptors might control eye pressure in people with a common form of glaucoma.
-
Gut-brain connections in Parkinson’s disease: how the gut and environment shape symptoms
A Mayo Clinic team is studying how gut problems, environmental factors, and genetics together influence Parkinson’s disease and its GI symptoms to find biomarkers and better understanding of the disease.
-
ARTFL LEFFTDS Frontotemporal Dementia study cycle 2
This NIH grant supports a longitudinal study to understand and track frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and related disorders in people, aiming to uncover biomarkers and disease progression information that could help patients and families.
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.