Understanding how cells regenerate and reorganize in tissues
Official title: Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Regenerative Growth and Repatterning
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11127533 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain genes help tissues heal and grow back after injury, using fruit flies to learn more about the process, which could eventually help improve treatments for people with similar healing needs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $397,503 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM155091-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11127533 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals interested in advancements in regenerative medicine and those with conditions that involve tissue damage or loss.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to tissue regeneration or those not seeking experimental treatments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms that enable tissue regeneration, focusing on the genetic factors that drive this process. By using the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism, the study aims to identify specific genes and gene regulatory networks that are activated during different phases of regeneration. The research employs advanced single-cell technologies to analyze how surviving cells respond to injury, promoting cellular reprogramming and tissue repatterning. This work could provide insights into the fundamental processes of regeneration, which may have implications for regenerative medicine.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for enhancing tissue regeneration in humans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding regeneration through genetic studies in model organisms, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Worley, Melanie I. — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Worley, Melanie I.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
STeroids and enhanced Antibiotics for sepsis in Africa with HIV/TB (STARS)
This grant tests whether adding steroids and stronger antibiotics helps adults with severe sepsis tied to HIV/TB in areas with high TB rates.
-
Steroids and better antibiotics for sepsis in people with AIDS in Africa
This study tests whether adding hydrocortisone and stronger antibiotics can improve survival for adults with sepsis who also have AIDS or advanced immune suppression in regions with high TB.
-
Predictive tools to improve pediatric donor heart use
A pediatric heart transplant grant is building data-driven tools to help doctors choose the best donor hearts for children.
-
Microglia Help Finish Seizures and Heal the Brain
Scientists are studying how brain immune cells (microglia) help end severe seizures and repair brain damage, with potential new ideas for people who have had status epilepticus.
-
Small molecules that boost the 20S proteasome to fight Alzheimer’s and related dementias
A new approach tests small molecules that activate the 20S proteasome to help neurons clear harmful proteins and slow the spread of disease in people affected by Alzheimer's and related dementias.
-
Advanced genome and transcriptome analysis with long-read sequencing
A researcher at a university is using long-read DNA and RNA sequencing to map complete genomes and transcriptomes for individuals to understand how genetic variations relate to disease risk.
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.