# NIH Reporter #5K99DK140516-02

Mechanisms of Cellular Communication: The Role of Merlin in Pancreatic Development

**Recipient:** UT Southwestern Medical Center

**Award Amount:** $89,424.00
**Ceiling:** $89,424.00

**Awarded:** August 14, 2026

**Identifier:** 5K99DK140516-02

Research investigating how Merlin interprets biomechanical signals to regulate pancreatic development and progenitor cell differentiation, with potential relevance to diabetes regenerative therapies.

### Description

The project examines Merlin's role in pancreatic development, including how mechanical cues and Hippo signaling affect pancreatic morphogenesis, lumen formation, and cell differentiation.

[View original record](https://reporter.nih.gov/search/0ftClcwKYUOEq8QKPKx2lA/project-details/11406303)