Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of Virginia received a $121,125 Project Grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) under the Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.847) effective May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2028. The award funds development of an engineered three-dimensional microfluidic co-culture system designed to investigate the effects of biomechanical forces on enteric neurons and glia. This research addresses chronic idiopathic constipation and Hirschsprung disease by creating an in vitro model that isolates and measures the impact of specific mechanical forces—stretch and stiffness—on enteric nervous system function, thereby enabling controlled investigation that cannot be readily achieved through in vivo models alone.

The project builds upon preliminary findings demonstrating that altered tissue mechanical properties in chronically distended intestines activate the mechanoreceptor PIEZO1, resulting in changes to enteric neuronal phenotype and function. By developing novel methods and technology to study biomechanical force responses in isolated cell populations, the research aims to establish foundational knowledge applicable to multiple gastrointestinal disorders and potentially identify new therapeutic targets for conditions where current surgical interventions such as intestinal resection or diversion represent limited treatment options for pediatric patients.