How cells break down stored sugar (glycophagy) and why it matters for metabolism
Official title: Defining the mechanisms of the glycophagy shunt and its role in metabolism Supplement
Funded at Lsu Pennington Biomedical Research Ctr · NIH-11322813 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at how cells break down stored sugar (glycogen) to keep energy working properly, which could help people with heart, brain, cancer, or glycogen-storage conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lsu Pennington Biomedical Research Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baton Rouge, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $32,135 |
| NIH project number | 3R35GM154665-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11322813 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with glycogen-storage disorders (such as acid maltase deficiency or Danon disease), certain cardiomyopathies or neurological conditions linked to glycogen metabolism, or cancers affected by altered glucose handling would be most relevant for future related clinical work.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose conditions are unrelated to glycogen metabolism or who need immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic laboratory research.
What this research studies
From my perspective, the team will use specially engineered cells and mouse models to watch how glycogen is broken down inside cells through a process called glycophagy versus the usual cytosolic pathway. They will develop new tools to track and manipulate this pathway so they can see how it affects cellular energy use. The work focuses on mechanisms that are important in heart disease, certain brain disorders, cancer, and genetic glycogen-storage diseases like acid maltase deficiency and Danon disease. Findings are intended to reveal steps in cell metabolism that future treatments or diagnostics could target.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new biological targets or biomarkers that lead to treatments or better diagnostics for heart, brain, cancer, and glycogen-storage disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Related cell and animal research has shown glycogen handling matters in disease, but the specific role of glycophagy is less understood and remains an early-stage, relatively novel area.
Where this research is happening
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Lsu Pennington Biomedical Research Ctr
Baton Rouge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Heden, Timothy D. — Lsu Pennington Biomedical Research Ctr
- Study coordinator: Heden, Timothy D.
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.