How cell-adhesion receptors help cells communicate and affect disease
Official title: Structural and Functional Studies of Cell-Adhesion Receptors
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-11472360 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is learning how two kinds of cell-surface 'communication' proteins (adhesion GPCRs and teneurins) work, which could help people with cancers and certain developmental or brain conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $38,710 |
| NIH project number | 3R35GM148412-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11472360 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with cancers or genetic developmental or brain disorders that are linked to adhesion GPCRs or teneurins would be most relevant for future studies or therapies arising from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose conditions are unrelated to these receptors, or who need immediate clinical treatment, are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this basic research in the short term.
What this research studies
The team will determine the three-dimensional structures of adhesion GPCRs and teneurins and map how they interact with partner molecules. They will use biochemical and biophysical lab tests, protein engineering, and functional cell-based assays to see how receptor changes alter cell signaling. Researchers will link these molecular findings to diseases such as cancer and developmental or brain disorders. The work is laboratory-focused but aims to point toward new drug targets or tools for future patient therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new drug targets or tools that lead to treatments for cancers and certain developmental or neurological conditions.
How similar studies have gone: This area is fairly novel: while some related receptor structures have been solved, adhesion GPCRs and teneurins remain largely uncharted and understudied.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Arac-Ozkan, Demet — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Arac-Ozkan, Demet
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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.