Understanding how cells shape and communicate to form tissue patterns
Official title: Mechanisms of Cellular Morphogenesis that Coordinate Signaling during Tissue Patterning
Funded at Howard University · NIH-11247279 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how cells in fruit flies change shape and talk to each other to form organized patterns, which is important for healthy tissue development, and it could help us understand problems that arise when these signals go wrong.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Howard University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $318,124 |
| NIH project number | 7R35GM150782-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11247279 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research would include individuals with developmental disorders or conditions related to tissue patterning.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to cellular signaling or tissue development may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms by which cells change shape and communicate with each other to create organized patterns in tissues. By studying the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, the researchers focus on specialized cellular structures called cytonemes, which help cells send signals over distances. The project aims to uncover how these structures are formed and regulated, which is crucial for proper tissue development and function. Understanding these processes could lead to insights into developmental disorders caused by signaling errors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for addressing developmental disorders linked to improper tissue patterning.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific mechanisms of cytoneme regulation are not extensively studied, related research in developmental biology has shown promising results in understanding cell signaling and tissue organization.
Where this research is happening
-
Howard University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hunter, Ginger Loraine — Howard University
- Study coordinator: Hunter, Ginger Loraine
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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.