How cells move important materials inside themselves
Evolution of Cargo Transport
This work looks at how different cells move proteins and other cargo, aiming to help people with Alzheimer's and related brain diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11247937 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers compare cargo-transport systems in fungi and mammalian cells to learn how motor-driven and non-canonical transport have changed over evolution. They will use comparative cell biology experiments, focusing on regulators like the FHF protein complex, and test evolutionary hypotheses by examining function across species in lab-grown cells. The project uses molecular and cell biology methods in fungal and human cell models rather than enrolling patients. Results are intended to explain why transport defects selectively harm some nerve cells in diseases such as Alzheimer's.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Alzheimer's disease or related neurodegenerative conditions are the patient group most likely to benefit from translation of these findings, though the grant itself is lab-based rather than a patient trial.
Not a fit: People without neurodegenerative conditions or those seeking immediate clinical treatments are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this laboratory-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal mechanisms behind neuron vulnerability in Alzheimer's and suggest new molecular targets for future therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research has connected cellular transport failures to neurodegeneration, but using evolutionary comparisons between fungi and mammalian cells to probe these mechanisms is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Christensen, Jenna — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Christensen, Jenna
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.