Understanding how cells talk to each other to help tissues heal and grow
Official title: Enhancing our understanding of intercellular communication to achieve programmable regeneration
Funded at Cornell University · NIH-11401169 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Scientists are studying how cells communicate to control tissue regeneration, with the aim of improving repair and transplantation outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cornell University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ithaca, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $431,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM160552-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11401169 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to patient enrollment; the study uses a plant model to understand universal regenerative mechanisms with potential future human applications.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient participation in this project as described.
What this research studies
This grant uses a plant model with strong regenerative abilities to uncover how intercellular signals guide different healing paths. Researchers will map how cells develop and coordinate during regeneration, and how signaling between cells shapes whether repair succeeds or fails. They will test whether gene circuits can be adjusted to change these cellular conversations and direct favorable regeneration. The work aims to translate these mechanistic insights toward better regenerative therapies in the future.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Gaining fundamental knowledge that could lead to better strategies for tissue repair and transplantation in people.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work in regenerative biology has shown that intercellular signaling influences regenerative outcomes, but this project focuses on a model plant to deepen mechanistic understanding.
Where this research is happening
-
Cornell University
Ithaca, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Frank, Margaret — Cornell University
- Study coordinator: Frank, Margaret
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.