Understanding How Cells Make Decisions
Cellular Decision Making
This work explores the fundamental ways cells make choices, which could help us better understand and treat conditions like heart disease, autoimmune disorders, and cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11086836 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our cells are constantly making complex decisions, from how they move to how they react to threats. This research aims to uncover the basic rules that govern these cellular choices. We are looking at how immune cells like neutrophils change shape and move, how other immune cells called lymphocytes recognize foreign invaders, and how stem cells control their genetic activity. By studying these different cell behaviors, we hope to find general principles of cellular decision-making that apply across many biological systems. This foundational knowledge is crucial for developing new ways to address various diseases.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational laboratory research does not directly involve patient participation, but its findings could eventually benefit patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, autoimmune diseases, or cancer.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical treatments or direct participation in a clinical trial would not find direct benefit from this basic science research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this fundamental understanding of cell behavior could lead to new insights and strategies for treating a wide range of diseases, including heart disease, autoimmune conditions, and cancer.
How similar studies have performed: This work builds on existing knowledge in cell biology while also developing new tools and approaches, such as optogenetics and biosensors, to explore cellular decision-making in novel ways.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weiner, Orion D — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Weiner, Orion D
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.