How cells control actin filaments and their internal skeleton
Official title: Mechanisms controlling cellular actin dynamics and cytoskeletal crosstalk
Funded at Brandeis University · NIH-11337460 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how cells build, break down, and coordinate actin filaments with other parts of the cell skeleton to better understand processes relevant to diseases like Alzheimer's.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brandeis University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Waltham, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2020 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,081,395 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM134895-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11337460 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This grant does not enroll patients directly; any future patient involvement would likely involve people with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias contributing samples or participating in follow-up translational studies.
✕Less likely to help
People seeking immediate clinical treatment or those without neurodegenerative conditions are unlikely to receive direct benefit from the basic laboratory work supported by this grant.
What this research studies
Researchers will use advanced single-molecule TIRF microscopy to watch groups of actin-regulating proteins working together in real time. They will study how actin interacts with microtubules and septins in both yeast and mammalian cells and make targeted genetic changes to test those interactions in living cells. The team will develop precise molecular tools based on these observations and use live imaging to see how those tools change cellular behavior.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal molecular mechanisms that contribute to neurodegeneration and point to new targets or strategies for treating Alzheimer's and related disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Single-molecule imaging and cell-based studies have previously revealed new molecular details of actin regulation, but translating those discoveries into therapies is still in early stages.
Where this research is happening
-
Brandeis University
Waltham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goode, Bruce L — Brandeis University
- Study coordinator: Goode, Bruce L
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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.