How cells control protein-making that affects breast cancer spread
Molecular mechanisms of eukaryotic translational control
Researchers are looking at how the protein eIF4B controls which proteins breast cancer cells make, aiming to better understand and stop cancer from spreading.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Amherst, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11295371 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I have breast cancer, this research is looking inside cells to see how a protein called eIF4B decides which RNA messages get made into proteins. The team will use molecular lab tests and mouse models to compare which RNAs depend on eIF4B versus other translation factors. They will also examine tumor and patient data to see whether eIF4B levels link with survival and metastasis. The goal is to identify molecular signs that predict spread and to point to ways to block it.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with breast cancer, especially those with aggressive or metastatic tumors, would be most relevant to this research.
Not a fit: Patients without breast cancer or whose tumors do not involve changes in translation-control proteins are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could identify markers or targets that help predict or prevent breast cancer metastasis.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research on related translation factors (like eIF4A and eIF4G) links them to cancer, and early animal and patient-data findings suggest eIF4B may oppose metastasis, but therapies targeting this pathway are still new.
Where this research is happening
Amherst, United States
- State University of New York at Buffalo — Amherst, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Walker, Sarah Elizabeth — State University of New York at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Walker, Sarah Elizabeth
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.