FOXO signals in stem cells link NOTCH and JAK/STAT
Official title: Investigating fundamental signal transduction mechanisms impacted by FOXO transcription factors on NOTCH and JAK/STAT Pathways in stem cell contexts
Funded at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley · NIH-11395381 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant studies how FOXO proteins help stem cells maintain themselves and influence blood, muscle, and gut lineages by connecting NOTCH and JAK/STAT pathways.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Rio Grande Valley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Edinburg, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $148,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM153687-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11395381 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients with conditions affecting stem cell function or cancers where NOTCH/JAK-STAT signaling or FOXO activity is implicated (e.g., certain hematopoietic or neural cancers).
✕Less likely to help
If your cancer or stem cell condition does not involve NOTCH/JAK-STAT signaling or FOXO pathways, direct benefits may be limited.
What this research studies
The project looks at how FOXO-1, FOXO-3, and FOXO-4 operate in stem cells and how they interact with NOTCH and JAK/STAT signals. Using advanced genomic tools like ATAC-seq and CRISPR, researchers will examine how FOXO factors control which genes are turned on in stem cells. The goal is to uncover mechanisms that keep stem cells healthy while revealing how these processes may go awry in diseases such as cancer. Findings could point to new ways to support tissue regeneration or target cancer stem cells.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A better understanding of stem cell control could lead to new approaches to treat cancers and improve regenerative therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows FOXO factors influence stem cell fate in embryonic and cancer contexts, suggesting this approach could yield meaningful insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Keniry, Megan E — University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- Study coordinator: Keniry, Megan E
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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.