Understanding how tight junctions work in cells
Official title: Mapping Tight Junction Architecture
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11071032 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how tiny connections between cells, called tight junctions, work to keep our tissues healthy and protect our organs, which could help us find new ways to treat diseases linked to these connections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 1F31GM157915-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11071032 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions linked to tight junction dysregulation, such as inflammatory bowel disease or certain cancers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to tight junctions or those who do not have any epithelial or endothelial tissue issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the structure and function of tight junctions, which are crucial for maintaining the barrier properties of tissues in the body. By using advanced techniques from structural biology and cell biology, the project aims to observe how proteins involved in tight junctions interact and assemble. This understanding could reveal how these junctions regulate the passage of nutrients and protect organs from pathogens, which is vital for overall health. The research may also identify how dysregulation of tight junctions contributes to various diseases, paving the way for new therapeutic strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for diseases associated with tight junction dysfunction.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding tight junctions, but this specific approach to directly observe their interactions is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dillard, Lucas — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Dillard, Lucas
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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.