How biomolecules organize themselves in cells to affect disease
Official title: Physical laws to control and regulate composition of multi-component biomolecular condensates
Funded at Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. · NIH-11404388 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Scientists are studying how tiny, droplet-like compartments in cells form and change, with the goal of understanding diseases and how drugs might target them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Piscataway, United States) |
| Project start | August 22, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $365,339 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM150589-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11404388 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with diseases linked to cellular condensates or dysregulated protein interactions may benefit from future therapies inspired by this research.
✕Less likely to help
Early-stage theoretical work may not yet translate into treatments for most patients.
What this research studies
This project builds theoretical models to describe how multiple proteins and other molecules come together to form membraneless organelles in cells. By studying how these condensates assemble and disassemble under different conditions, researchers aim to predict how changes in biology could influence disease-related processes. The work focuses on translating complex biology into models that could guide drug design and treatment strategies. Results could help identify when condensate behavior contributes to disease and how to intervene. The patient connection lies in how better understanding condensates may lead to new therapies for conditions involving cellular organization.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could accelerate the development of drugs that target disease-driving condensates, potentially offering new therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show that modeling helps explain condensate behavior, but this project aims to extend these models to multi-component mixtures relevant to disease.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
Piscataway, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dignon, Gregory — Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
- Study coordinator: Dignon, Gregory
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.