How cells detect changes in enzyme activity
Official title: A novel and simple mechanism by which cells can sense enzymatic flux
Funded at Harvard Medical School · NIH-10983304 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how yeast cells detect and respond to the way they use nutrients, specifically focusing on how they process galactose, which could help us understand how metabolism works in different living things.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $315,388 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM148497-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10983304 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with metabolic disorders or conditions related to enzyme activity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with unrelated health issues or those not affected by metabolic disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how cells sense the activity of enzymes that process nutrients, focusing on a specific pathway in yeast. By studying the galactose utilization pathway, the researchers aim to uncover a straightforward mechanism that allows cells to measure metabolic flux, which is the flow of nutrients through metabolic pathways. The approach involves using advanced quantitative measurements and computational modeling to analyze and interpret the data collected from experiments. This could lead to a better understanding of metabolic regulation in various organisms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of metabolic processes, potentially leading to new treatments for metabolic disorders and cancers.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding metabolic pathways, but this specific mechanism is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard Medical School
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Springer, Michael — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Springer, Michael
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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.