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NOBEL PRIZE 2026

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NIHNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ARTHRITIS AND MUSCULOSKELETAL AND SKIN DISEASESR37

Tissue Patterning in living skin and organ explants

Active
Institution
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, CA
Principal investigator
Cheng-Ming Chuong
Funding
$483K
Duration
2025–2030
Open portfolio

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Abstract

Our long-term objective remains consistent: to investigate the organizing principles that establish the complex architectures of skin necessary for its various functions. Based on the findings from the previous funding period, we request an extension of this project to delve deeper into our research. Our general hypothesis aligns with that of the previous funding period, with further refinements. We propose that morphogenetic processes, whether simple or complex, can be understood through a fundamental morphogenetic module comprising a sensor and an actuator. The threshold can be adjusted at the modulator level, resulting in a new tissue state (Fig. A). A complex morphogenetic process can be composed of multiple sequentially connected sensor-actuator circuits, each activated by the completion of the preceding circuit until a stable state is achieved. The sensor can detect biophysical differences (such as adhesion forces and ECM pulling), leading to biochemical changes (like new gene transcriptions and enzyme activations), or vice versa. We would like to build on the three aims from the last funding period and extend our study to focus more on mechanistic and epigenetic controls.

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R37NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ARTHRITIS AND MUSCULOSKELETAL AND SKIN DISEASESNSSmorphogeneticsensorperiodactuatorrefinementsfunding periodprevious fundingskin

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