Understanding how cells respond to mechanical forces
Official title: Force-sensitive Linker Proteins as Mediators of Cellular Mechanosensitivity
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11011908 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how cells feel and react to physical forces, which is important for their movement and growth, especially in conditions like cancer and heart disease, and it aims to develop new tools to better understand these processes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $387,662 |
| NIH project number | 1R35GM156302-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11011908 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals affected by conditions like cancer or atherosclerosis, where mechanical factors play a role in disease progression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to mechanical cues or those not affected by cancer or atherosclerosis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how cells sense and respond to mechanical cues, which are crucial for various cellular processes such as migration, division, and metabolism. By focusing on the role of force-sensitive linker proteins, the study aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind cellular mechanosensitivity, particularly in relation to diseases like cancer and atherosclerosis. The approach involves developing new technologies to assess the impact of mechanical forces on protein functions within cells, addressing a significant gap in current cell biology techniques.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for diseases that are influenced by mechanical cues, such as cancer and atherosclerosis.
How similar studies have gone: While the exploration of mechanosensitivity is a growing field, this specific approach focusing on force-sensitive linker proteins is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hoffman, Brenton D — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Hoffman, Brenton D
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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.