Glycolipid interface to study ganglioside-protein interactions in disease
Official title: Glycolipid biointerface to decipher disease-implicated ganglioside-protein interactions
Funded at University of California Riverside · NIH-11348174 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-friendly look at a new biointerface that helps scientists understand how complex sugar-coated fats on cell surfaces affect diseases like diabetes and cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Riverside NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Riverside, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $315,192 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM148803-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11348174 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with type 2 diabetes or cancers where ganglioside interactions are known to play a role.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose disease mechanisms do not involve ganglioside-protein interactions may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project will create a biomimetic membrane surface that mimics the natural sugars and lipids on human cells. Researchers will use this platform to explore how gangliosides influence the proteins on cell membranes, which can affect inflammation, neural repair, and cancer cell behavior. By revealing these interactions, the study aims to uncover new targets for therapies related to diabetes and cancer. The work involves biochemical and biophysical methods to map how different glycocalyx components change protein function. Ultimately, the findings could guide the development of treatments that modulate these interactions to improve patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify new approaches to treat insulin resistance and certain cancers by targeting ganglioside-protein interactions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that gangliosides can influence membrane protein function and disease pathways, though this project aims to advance the techniques and understanding in a clinically relevant context.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Riverside
Riverside, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cheng, Quan Jason — University of California Riverside
- Study coordinator: Cheng, Quan Jason
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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.