Understanding How Cells Move in the Body
Deciphering Cellular Heterogeneity and Inheritability in Migration
This research explores why individual cells move differently and how this movement impacts important body processes like healing and fighting cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11134731 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Cell movement is a fundamental process vital for many functions in our bodies, including how we develop, heal wounds, and fight off infections. However, when cells move too slowly, it can hinder healing, and when cancer cells move too quickly, it can lead to the spread of cancer. This project uses a new high-speed technology to watch thousands of individual cells and understand why some move differently than others. By identifying the specific signals and internal factors that drive cell movement, we hope to uncover new ways to control these processes. This deeper understanding could help us develop better treatments for conditions where cell movement goes wrong.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients but aims to benefit those affected by conditions involving cell migration, such as chronic wounds, inflammatory diseases, or cancer.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct clinical intervention would not receive benefit from this basic science research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to encourage healing, reduce inflammation, or prevent the spread of cancer by better controlling how cells move.
How similar studies have performed: This project utilizes a newly developed high-throughput single-cell migration platform, representing a novel approach to studying cellular heterogeneity in movement.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Yu-Chih — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Chen, Yu-Chih
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.