A new method to measure protein synthesis in cells with very few samples
An ultra-low-input RNase footprinting assay to quantify cytosolic and mitochondrial translation simultaneously
This study is exploring a new way to look at how proteins are made in cells, which could help us understand diseases linked to protein production, especially when there aren’t many cells available to study.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11012913 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel technique to analyze how proteins are made in both cytosolic and mitochondrial environments using very small numbers of cells. By simplifying the process of isolating ribosome-protected RNA fragments, the researchers aim to make it possible to study translation in primary tissues that have limited cell availability. This approach could provide insights into the regulation of protein synthesis that are not achievable with existing methods. Patients may benefit from this research as it could lead to a better understanding of diseases related to protein synthesis.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions that affect protein synthesis, such as certain cancers or mitochondrial diseases.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to protein synthesis or those who do not have access to the required tissue samples may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of protein synthesis in various diseases, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has successfully utilized ribosome profiling techniques, but this specific ultra-low-input approach is novel and has not been widely tested.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University at Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ji, Zhe — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Ji, Zhe
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 below.