How cells cope in low-nutrient and low-oxygen environments
Cellular Adaptations to Nutrient-Limited Metabolic Microenvironments
This work looks at how cells survive when nutrients and oxygen are scarce to find new drug targets that might help people with cancer, autoimmune conditions, or heart disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11173585 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have cancer, an autoimmune condition, or heart disease, this project studies how cells adapt when key nutrients and oxygen are limited in tissues like the brain and bone marrow. Lab teams grow cells under low-nutrient and low-oxygen conditions, profile the metabolites and pathways the cells use, and search for small molecules that block those survival strategies. They also develop new techniques to discover previously unrecognized metabolites and metabolic pathways. The goal is to reveal weaknesses that future therapies could exploit.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers, autoimmune diseases, or cardiac conditions are the types of patients whose diseases are most directly related to the metabolism studied here, though this is primarily lab research rather than a patient trial.
Not a fit: Patients without conditions tied to tissue nutrient or oxygen stress, or those seeking immediate treatment options, are unlikely to benefit directly in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new molecular targets for drugs that selectively affect diseased cells while sparing healthy tissue.
How similar studies have performed: Related laboratory studies have previously found metabolic vulnerabilities in some cancers, but turning those findings into approved therapies is still an ongoing and early-stage effort.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- New York University School of Medicine — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pacold, Michael Edward — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Pacold, Michael Edward
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.