Understanding how certain cells move and behave in tissues related to cancer and development
Official title: Multiscale modeling of fluidity in partial EMT (pEMT) planar tissues
Funded at Worcester Polytechnic Institute · NIH-11042538 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain cells that are in a special state can help tissues move and change, which is important for understanding cancer and healing, and it aims to find out how these cells work together in different situations to improve treatments for cancer and help with tissue repair.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Worcester Polytechnic Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $305,426 |
| NIH project number | 1R01GM157590-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11042538 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with cancers or conditions related to abnormal tissue development and regeneration.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable, non-progressive conditions unrelated to tissue fluidity or cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how cells in a partially epithelial-mesenchymal transition (pEMT) state contribute to tissue fluidity and movement, which is important for understanding cancer growth and tissue regeneration. The researchers will develop a framework that combines theoretical models and experimental techniques to study how these cells interact and move within tissue layers. By examining different cell lines and their behavior under various conditions, the project aims to uncover the mechanisms that control tissue fluidity and cell aggregation, which could have implications for cancer treatment and regenerative medicine.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for controlling cancer growth and improving tissue regeneration.
How similar studies have gone: While studies on epithelial tissue fluidity are common, this specific focus on the pEMT state represents a novel approach that has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wu, Min — Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Study coordinator: Wu, Min
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.