Visualizing and measuring tiny cell forces with new mechanochemical methods
Official title: Advancing Visualization and Quantification of Subcellular and Biomolecular Mechanics through Mechanochemical Protocols
Funded at Clarkson University · NIH-11372321 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new NIH grant aims to develop versatile, high-precision ways to map and measure the forces inside and around cells to better understand how diseases affect cellular mechanics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Clarkson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Potsdam, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $359,803 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM154994-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11372321 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with conditions where altered cell mechanics or tissue stiffness are involved (e.g., fibrosis, cancer, cardiovascular diseases) could be eligible for future related studies.
✕Less likely to help
People whose conditions do not involve measurable cellular mechanics or mechanobiology may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project focuses on creating and applying mechanochemical protocols to visualize biomechanical forces at subcellular and molecular scales. By combining chemistry, mechanical engineering, and advanced microscopy, the team seeks a more versatile, high-throughput way to quantify cell mechanics across scales. If successful, patients could benefit from breakthroughs in diagnosing or treating diseases that involve abnormal cell mechanics and tissue stiffness.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to better tools for diagnosing mechanobiology-related diseases and inform new therapies that target cellular forces.
How similar studies have gone: Previous methods like AFM and FRET have shown partial insights, but this project aims for broader, higher-throughput capability.
Where this research is happening
-
Clarkson University
Potsdam, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lu, Xiaocun — Clarkson University
- Study coordinator: Lu, Xiaocun
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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.