Advanced Microscopy to Understand Tiny Cell Motors
New Super-Accurate and Super-Resolved Fluorescence Microscopy Techniques and Probes for Studying Single Molecular Motors
This work uses new, highly precise microscopes to watch how tiny motors inside our cells move and change shape, which could help us understand many health problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Champaign, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11192753 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our cells contain tiny molecular motors, like kinesin and dynein, that are essential for many bodily functions, and problems with these motors can lead to various diseases. This project aims to observe these motors in extreme detail, down to individual molecules, to understand how they move and respond to forces. We are developing and using a special microscope technique called MINFLUX, which offers incredibly clear views of these tiny movements. By studying these motors both in test tubes and within living cells, we hope to uncover new insights into how they work and what happens when they don't.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve patient participation, but future studies building on these findings may seek individuals with conditions related to molecular motor dysfunction.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct clinical intervention will not receive benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could provide a fundamental understanding of how molecular motors contribute to disease, potentially leading to new ways to diagnose or treat various clinical abnormalities.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has already revealed detailed conformational changes in some molecular motors, suggesting that this advanced microscopy approach is promising for further discoveries.
Where this research is happening
Champaign, United States
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign — Champaign, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Selvin, Paul R — University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Study coordinator: Selvin, Paul R
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.