# Biomechanics of Neural Tube  Development using Brillouin-OCT  Multimodality

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON · 2022 · $103,881

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The objective of this proposal is to understand how tissue elasticity regulates neural tube closure (NTC) in the
moue embryo. The proposal focuses on developing live imaging approaches to visualize and quantify tissue
elasticity with an advanced elastic imaging modality, Reverberant 3D OCE (Rev3D-OCE). By determining how
tissue elasticity changes longitudinally through development, I will generate the first elasticity maps of the
embryonic neural tube. With this information, I will overlay neural epithelia cell migration patterns to determine if
these cells are using durotaxis, a form of cell migration where cells are guided by stiffness gradients, as means
to successfully execute neural tube closure. This work is significant because after congenital heart disease,
neural tube defects (NTDs) are the most prevalent structural birth defect. While great advances have been made
in determining the genetic and environmental causes of NTDs, its persistence in the human population demands
that we further elucidate the underlying causes to this detrimental defect. This proposal is also designed to serve
as a training opportunity. My future goal is to become a multidisciplinary researcher at an academic institution.
Completing the work proposed in this application will give me the opportunity to develop novel optical and live
imaging tools, enhance my understanding of embryology and developmental biology, and challenge me to be
independent and persistent in my research.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10551412
- **Project number:** 3R01HD095520-05S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
- **Principal Investigator:** RICHARD H. FINNELL
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $103,881
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2018-09-01 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10551412

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10551412, Biomechanics of Neural Tube  Development using Brillouin-OCT  Multimodality (3R01HD095520-05S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10551412. Licensed CC0.

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