How cells manage their own programmed death

Cytoskeletal compartmentalization of apoptotic signaling

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT STORRS · NIH-11159836

This project explores how the internal structure of human cells helps control when and how cells decide to die, especially after damage.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT STORRS (nih funded)
Locations1 site (STORRS-MANSFIELD, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11159836 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Our cells have an internal scaffolding, called the cytoskeleton, which is crucial for many cell functions. This project looks at how this scaffolding influences programmed cell death, a natural process cells use to remove damaged or unwanted cells. We are focusing on specific proteins that help build this scaffolding and how they create special areas within the cell to manage the cell death process. Understanding these steps could help us learn more about diseases where cell death goes wrong.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This foundational work is not directly recruiting patients but aims to benefit individuals with conditions related to abnormal cell death, such as cancer or degenerative disorders, in the future.

Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct clinical intervention would not find direct benefit from participating in this basic science project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: Understanding how cells control their own death could lead to new ways to treat diseases like cancer, where cells don't die when they should, or neurodegenerative diseases, where too many cells die.

How similar studies have performed: While the general mechanisms of cell death are known, this specific focus on cytoskeletal compartmentalization in apoptosis is a novel area of investigation.

Where this research is happening

STORRS-MANSFIELD, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.