Exploring small proteins produced during inflammation
Official title: Identification and characterization of small open reading frames translated during inflammation
Funded at University of California Santa Cruz · NIH-10915440 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at tiny proteins made by immune cells called macrophages during inflammation to see how they help start and stop the body's response to injury or infection, using advanced technology to better understand their role.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Santa Cruz NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Santa Cruz, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $44,836 |
| NIH project number | 5F31AI179201-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10915440 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions associated with chronic inflammation, such as autoimmune diseases or chronic infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute inflammatory conditions that do not involve the mechanisms being studied may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of small open reading frames (sORFs) that are translated into peptides during inflammatory responses. By utilizing advanced sequencing technologies, the study aims to identify and characterize these peptides, which may play significant roles in biological processes such as inflammation and cell viability. The research focuses on macrophages, key immune cells involved in inflammation, to understand how these small proteins contribute to both initiating and resolving inflammatory responses. The methodology includes CRISPR-based techniques to manipulate and study the effects of these peptides in cellular models.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into the mechanisms of inflammation and potential therapeutic targets for inflammatory diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the roles of small peptides in inflammation, indicating that this approach has potential for significant findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Malekos, Eric — University of California Santa Cruz
- Study coordinator: Malekos, Eric
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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.