Understanding how zebrafish regenerate tendons
Official title: Mechanisms underlying adult tendon regeneration in the zebrafish
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11048308 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how zebrafish heal their tendons to help us understand how to improve tendon repair in people, focusing on the role of certain signals and muscle activity in the healing process.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $499,229 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AR083979-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11048308 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with tendon injuries who are seeking advanced treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with chronic tendon injuries that have already resulted in significant scar tissue formation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms of tendon regeneration using zebrafish as a model organism. By studying how zebrafish can heal their tendons, the research aims to uncover cellular and molecular processes that could inform treatments for tendon injuries in humans. The project will explore the role of TGFβ signaling and muscle activity in tendon healing, providing insights into how these factors influence the regeneration process. The findings could lead to new strategies for enhancing tendon repair in adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative treatments that improve tendon healing in humans, reducing recovery time and enhancing functional outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research using zebrafish has shown promising results in understanding regeneration, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights for human applications.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Galloway, Jenna L — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Galloway, Jenna L
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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.