How cells survive extreme stress
Official title: Stress tolerant annual killifish: a new model for the cellular stress response
Funded at St. Olaf College · NIH-11369720 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at a special fish that can survive without oxygen to learn how cells protect themselves from extreme stress.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. Olaf College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Northfield, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 4R00GM148723-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11369720 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational biological research does not involve direct patient participation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients will not receive direct medical benefit from this basic science project.
What this research studies
Our cells face stress every day, and sometimes extreme stress like a lack of oxygen can cause serious damage, as seen in conditions like stroke or heart attack. This project uses a unique fish, the annual killifish, which naturally tolerates harsh conditions, including long periods without oxygen, to understand how its cells cope. By studying this fish's cells, we hope to uncover the fundamental ways cells regulate their genes and proteins to survive stress. This knowledge could eventually lead to new ways to protect human cells from damage caused by severe stress.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could provide fundamental insights into how cells survive extreme stress, potentially leading to new strategies for protecting human tissues during conditions like stroke or heart attack.
How similar studies have gone: This project takes an innovative approach by developing a naturally stress-tolerant fish as a new model, building on existing knowledge of cellular stress responses.
Where this research is happening
-
St. Olaf College
Northfield, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Riggs, Claire L — St. Olaf College
- Study coordinator: Riggs, Claire L
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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.