How Cells Keep Track of Time
Molecular and cellular mechanisms of circadian timekeeping in a prokaryote model
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · NIH-11083086
This project explores the basic ways cells tell time, which helps us understand human health conditions like heart disease and sleep problems.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11083086 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Our bodies have an internal clock that guides daily activities, and when it's out of sync, it can contribute to various health issues. This project uses a simple organism, a type of bacteria called cyanobacteria, to uncover the fundamental ways cells keep time. Researchers are looking at the tiny interactions within these cells to understand where and how these timing mechanisms work. By studying this basic biological clock, we can learn why precise timing is so important for overall health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, metabolic syndrome, mental illness, or sleep disorders might ultimately benefit from the foundational knowledge gained from this work.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical treatments or direct interventions would not directly benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding these fundamental mechanisms of biological timing could eventually lead to new strategies for managing or preventing human health conditions linked to a disrupted body clock.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific model system is unique, the broader field of circadian biology has shown success in linking clock mechanisms to health outcomes.
Where this research is happening
LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO — LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: GOLDEN, SUSAN S — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- Study coordinator: GOLDEN, SUSAN S
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.