Understanding how certain drugs can harm the liver using patient-derived liver models.
Official title: Modeling Drug Induced Liver Injury with Patient-Derived Liver Organoids and Microfluidic Chips
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11018632 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain medications can harm the liver, especially for people who have had liver problems before, by using tiny lab-grown liver models to find safer drug options and better understand how liver damage happens.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $457,252 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM152417-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11018632 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who have experienced drug-induced liver injury or are at risk of liver damage from medications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced liver injury or do not take medications that could potentially cause liver damage may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates drug-induced liver injury (DILI), a serious condition that can lead to acute liver failure. By utilizing patient-derived liver organoids and advanced microfluidic technology, the study aims to create a predictive platform that can better assess the risk of liver damage from various medications. The approach involves collecting liver cells from patients who have experienced DILI and using them to model liver responses to drugs in a controlled environment. This innovative method seeks to enhance our understanding of liver injury mechanisms and identify safer drug options.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of safer medications and improved risk prediction for liver injury in patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using patient-derived models to study drug toxicity, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sexton, Jonathan Zachary — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Sexton, Jonathan Zachary
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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.