Understanding how damaged stomach cells revert to a repair state to prevent cancer
Official title: MECHANISMS OF CHIEF CELL DEDIFFERENTIATION
Funded at Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr · NIH-11595701 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how certain stomach cells re-enter the cell cycle to aid tissue repair, and how this process might lead to metaplasia or cancer if it goes wrong.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hershey, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2015 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $587,800 |
| NIH project number | 7R01DK105129-12 |
| Project ID | NIH-11595701 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals with stomach conditions or a history of gastric injury where paligenosis-related processes may be active or relevant.
✕Less likely to help
People without gastric disease or no exposure to injury/infection-related cell reprogramming may not benefit.
What this research studies
The project examines paligenosis, a repair pathway that uses mature cells to help regenerate tissue when stem cells aren’t enough. It investigates the early and late steps of this reprogramming, focusing on signals from the unfolded-protein response and the PERK and PKR pathways. The study uses models of Helicobacter pylori infection and chemical injury to observe how chief cells revert and then potentially form abnormal metaplastic tissue. Findings could identify targets to prevent chronic metaplasia and tumor development in the stomach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal mechanisms to prevent stomach cancer by interrupting harmful reprogramming, improving prevention and treatment strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies showed that paligenosis and related pathways are involved in gastric repair and metaplasia, supporting potential for impactful findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
Hershey, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mills, Jason C — Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Mills, Jason C
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.