Biophysical basics of how cytoskeleton parts work together in cancer and heart disease
Official title: Biophysical Mechanisms of Force Transmission in Cytoskeletal Ensembles
Funded at University of Mississippi · NIH-11357713 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist plans to build tiny, LEGO-like cell models to see how actin and microtubules talk to each other and to motor proteins, to better understand cancer and heart disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Mississippi NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (University, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $289,412 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM147050-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11357713 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to a specific patient group; the study is fundamental biology using engineered cell models.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient benefit is not guaranteed; the work is preclinical/basic science.
What this research studies
This project will create novel, physiologically relevant cytoskeletal environments, called nanocells, to study how actin filaments and microtubules coordinate via motors like kinesin and myosin. By engineering more realistic models than simple single-molecule or whole-cell systems, researchers aim to observe how tension, compression, and crosslinking proteins affect signaling and force transmission. The work combines biophysics, bioengineering, and advanced imaging to bridge scale gaps and reveal mechanisms that could inform therapies for cancer and cardiac disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding cytoskeletal communication could identify new targets to treat cancer and heart disease.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown that cytoskeletal mechanics influence cellular behavior, but this project extends to more integrated, physiologically relevant environments.
Where this research is happening
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University of Mississippi
University, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Reinemann, Dana Nicole — University of Mississippi
- Study coordinator: Reinemann, Dana Nicole
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.