Understanding How Muscle Stem Cells Repair Our Bodies

Cadherin-Dependent Regulation of Satellite Cell Function

NIH-funded research Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11124651

This project explores how our body's muscle stem cells stay quiet or become active to repair muscle, focusing on how they communicate with their surroundings.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11124651 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Our muscles have special stem cells, called satellite cells, that help them heal after injury. Normally, these cells are resting, but when muscle gets damaged, they wake up to create new muscle. This project looks closely at how these resting cells communicate with their environment and what signals tell them to start repairing. Researchers are particularly interested in tiny projections on these cells and how certain proteins, called cadherins, control their activity. Understanding these processes is key to finding new ways to help muscles heal better.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve patients, but future applications could benefit individuals experiencing muscle damage or conditions affecting muscle regeneration.

Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical treatments would not directly benefit from this basic science investigation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that improve muscle repair and regeneration for people with muscle injuries or diseases.

How similar studies have performed: While the general concept of muscle stem cells is established, the specific mechanisms of satellite cell projections and cadherin-dependent regulation are areas of active and novel exploration.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.