NIH-funded research Fellowship grant

Understanding how inflammation affects healing in the intestines

Official title: Examining the role of epigenetic memory in intestinal regeneration

Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11042137 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how the cells in your gut that help with healing respond to inflammation and if they remember past inflammation, which could help us find better ways to support gut healing and manage related health issues.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Francisco
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, United States)
Project startApril 1, 2024
Project endMarch 31, 2027
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$78,040
NIH project number5F32DK137454-02
Project IDNIH-11042137 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who have experienced intestinal inflammation or related conditions.

Less likely to help

Patients with non-inflammatory gastrointestinal conditions may not receive direct benefits from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates how intestinal stem cells (ISCs) respond to inflammation and whether they retain a memory of past inflammatory events. By studying the effects of inflammation on ISCs, the research aims to uncover the mechanisms behind their regenerative capabilities. The approach involves analyzing epigenetic changes in ISCs after exposure to inflammatory stimuli, specifically looking at how these changes influence their ability to heal in future injuries. Patients may benefit from insights into how to enhance intestinal healing and manage related diseases.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for intestinal diseases by enhancing the body's natural healing processes.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that similar approaches in other epithelial tissues have successfully demonstrated the role of inflammatory memory in healing.

Where this research is happening

  • University of California, San Francisco
    San Francisco, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Viragova, Sara — University of California, San Francisco
  • Study coordinator: Viragova, Sara

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About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.