How cells build ribosomes and pause during stress
Regulation of Ribosome Biogenesis
Researchers are learning how human cells temporarily stop and later restart making ribosomes during stress, which could help people with diseases tied to faulty protein production.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11167807 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, the team is using a multi-omics strategy and a new lab technique to follow how precursor ribosomal RNA is processed and sometimes stored in the nucleolus when cells face stress like oxidative damage, certain viral infections, or chemotherapy. They will use human cell models and detailed molecular analyses to map the pathway that causes early rRNA processing to stall and be stored. The project examines how these pauses affect which ribosomes are ultimately assembled and how well those ribosomes work. Ultimately the researchers want to link these molecular changes to disease mechanisms so future therapies could target the pathway.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with ribosomopathies, certain cancers, or those receiving chemotherapy or recovering from severe viral infections would be most relevant and might be asked to provide samples for related studies.
Not a fit: People without disorders affecting protein synthesis or those seeking immediate clinical treatments are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets for treating cancers, viral complications, and genetic disorders caused by faulty ribosome production.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked ribosome assembly problems to disease, but the specific stress-regulated storage pathway described here is relatively new and not yet tested in patients.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston University Medical Campus — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lyons, Shawn M — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Lyons, Shawn M
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 below.