Understanding how skin cells regenerate and their role in conditions like vitiligo.
Official title: Cellular and molecular regulators of melanocyte regeneration
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-11064080 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at special skin cells that help with color and healing, using fish models and patient samples to find out how they work, with the hope of discovering better treatments for skin conditions like vitiligo.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $418,399 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR081355-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11064080 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with vitiligo or other conditions affecting skin pigmentation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with skin conditions unrelated to melanocyte function may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on isolating and studying melanocyte stem cells (McSCs), which are crucial for skin pigmentation and regeneration. By using advanced techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing, the researchers aim to identify the genetic signals and pathways that control how these cells regenerate. The study will also involve zebrafish models to observe the regeneration process over time and will analyze samples from patients with vitiligo to understand how these mechanisms work in humans. The goal is to uncover new insights that could lead to better treatments for skin conditions related to melanocyte function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative therapies for skin conditions such as vitiligo and melanoma.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding melanocyte biology, but this approach is exploring novel pathways and mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ceol, Craig Joseph — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Ceol, Craig Joseph
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.