How cells rearrange their internal skeleton when they specialize
Mechanisms controlling microtubule organization during cell differentiation
This work looks at how cells reorganize their internal scaffold as they change type, with relevance for cancers where cell structure helps tumors invade.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11322080 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use the tiny roundworm C. elegans as a living model to watch how microtubule organizing centers move from the centrosome to other parts of the cell during differentiation. They combine genetics and high-resolution microscopy to track the proteins and steps that turn off centrosome activity and build non-centrosomal microtubule networks. The team links these basic mechanisms to what is seen in epithelial cancers, where failures in this reorganization can promote invasive behavior. Results aim to reveal the molecular switches that control cell architecture across tissues.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with epithelial cancers or those interested in research on how tumor cell structure affects invasion may follow this work and could be candidates for future related clinical studies.
Not a fit: Patients looking for immediate new treatments or those with diseases unrelated to cell-structure changes likely would not see direct benefits from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could identify molecular targets to help prevent or slow invasive behavior in some epithelial cancers and inform tissue-repair strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Previous lab and field studies have identified non-centrosomal microtubule sites in model organisms and linked centrosome defects to cancer, but translation to patient therapies remains early.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Feldman, Jessica Lynn — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Feldman, Jessica Lynn
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.