Understanding how cells shape organs using fruit flies
Official title: Biophysical mechanisms underlying Drosophila renal tubule morphogenesis
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11019425 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how cells work together to shape organs, using fruit flies to understand how their kidneys form, and the findings could help us learn more about diseases in humans that happen when these processes go wrong.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | December 20, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $388,750 |
| NIH project number | 1R35GM156857-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11019425 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals with conditions related to organ development or tissue architecture abnormalities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to organ development or those not affected by tissue architecture issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms by which cells create the three-dimensional shapes of organs, focusing on the developing renal system of fruit flies (Drosophila). By examining how cells interact and organize themselves during the formation of tubular structures, the research aims to uncover the fundamental rules that govern tissue architecture. The approach combines advanced visualization techniques with experimental manipulation to observe how changes in cell behavior affect organ shape. Insights gained could help explain how abnormalities in these processes may lead to human diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a better understanding of organ development and potential strategies for addressing diseases related to tissue formation.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach using Drosophila is novel, similar studies in other model organisms have shown success in understanding tissue morphogenesis.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vasquez, Claudia Gabriela — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Vasquez, Claudia Gabriela
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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.