Understanding how mechanical forces rapidly influence gene expression in cells
Official title: Defining nuclear mechanisms for ultrarapid mechanically induced gene expression
Funded at Cornell University · NIH-10972964 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our muscle cells react to physical stress, like when we exercise, by quickly turning on certain genes, and it's designed for anyone interested in understanding how our bodies adapt to movement and what happens if this process doesn't work properly.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cornell University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ithaca, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $647,460 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AR084664-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10972964 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions related to muscle development or function, such as muscular dystrophy or cardiac disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-muscle related conditions or those not affected by mechanical stress on tissues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how cells in the human body respond to mechanical forces by quickly expressing specific genes. It focuses on the process of mechanotransduction, which is crucial for tissues like skeletal and cardiac muscle that experience significant mechanical stress. The study aims to uncover novel mechanisms that allow for ultra-rapid gene expression in response to these forces, particularly in skeletal muscle cells. By using advanced techniques, the researchers will explore how these mechanisms function and what happens when they are impaired.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for conditions like muscular dystrophy and heart disease by enhancing our understanding of gene expression in response to mechanical stimuli.
How similar studies have gone: While mechanotransduction has been studied, the specific focus on ultra-rapid gene expression mechanisms is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior research.
Where this research is happening
-
Cornell University
Ithaca, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lammerding, Jan — Cornell University
- Study coordinator: Lammerding, Jan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
PORTENT 3.0 Technical Core for global health point-of-care tools
A NIH U54 grant supports Cornell and partners in advancing point-of-care technologies for nutrition, infection, and cancer to real-world use, especially in global health settings.
-
Point-of-care zinc test strips to verify infant zinc medicines in low-resource settings
A fast, low-cost smartphone‑based test strips method checks zinc-containing infant medicines in places with limited lab access.
-
Center for Spillover Prevention and One Health Readiness in Asia
A center in Asia works to prevent pandemics by studying how animal infections jump to humans and by building tools to detect and respond quickly to spillovers.
-
SAGE: A privacy-friendly system to monitor antimicrobial use in animals
A nationwide, privacy-preserving data hub will securely collect and standardize antimicrobial use data across animal species to support smarter stewardship and regulatory science.
-
Rapid, bedside KS diagnosis in Africa with KS-COMPLETE
A fast, point-of-care test using skin biopsies to diagnose Kaposi’s sarcoma in sub-Saharan Africa, helping patients get results in about an hour.
-
Nuclear mechanics in tight cell movement
Scientists are studying how the nucleus changes its shape and function when cells squeeze through very small spaces, which could affect health and disease.
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.