Understanding how cells organize and communicate in diseases like cancer
Decoding cortical Notch signaling and morphogenic instruction at cell-cell interfaces
This work explores how cells communicate and organize themselves, which is important for healthy tissues and can go wrong in diseases such as 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-11117075 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies are built from cells that work together, coordinating their genetic instructions with their physical arrangement to form tissues. This project looks closely at how cells talk to each other at their connection points, called cell-cell interfaces, to understand how these signals influence cell behavior and tissue structure. When these processes don't work correctly, they can contribute to diseases like cancer. We are using advanced models of human tissues to uncover new ways that cells communicate and organize themselves in three dimensions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational laboratory work does not directly involve patients, but future clinical applications could benefit individuals with various cancers.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct clinical intervention would not receive benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this fundamental understanding could lead to new ways to target the underlying mechanisms of cancer and other diseases where cell organization is disrupted.
How similar studies have performed: The principal investigator has previously developed innovative biomimetic models and discovered new mechanisms of cell behavior, suggesting a novel and promising approach.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kutys, Matthew L — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Kutys, Matthew L
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.