How copper-binding proteins control muscle gene expression
Official title: Mechanisms of Cu-binding factors to promote myogenic gene expression
Funded at Wesleyan University · NIH-11366089 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Copper-binding proteins help turn on genes needed for muscle growth and repair, and this project looks at how they coordinate this process in muscle cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wesleyan University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Middletown, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $327,377 |
| NIH project number | 2R01AR077578-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11366089 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with muscle injury or neuro-muscular conditions where copper homeostasis or muscle regeneration is relevant, or who participate in future translational studies.
✕Less likely to help
People without muscle injury or conditions related to copper biology may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
If you have a muscle condition or care about how muscles repair after injury, this study explores how copper levels influence the genes that drive muscle growth and regeneration. Researchers will examine copper-binding proteins like Crip2 and Csrp2 and how they interact with chromatin to control gene activity during muscle healing. The work uses cellular models and disease models to understand how copper availability affects muscle regeneration and which pathways are involved. Findings could reveal new ways to support muscle repair in people with copper-related disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new approaches to support muscle repair and regeneration in conditions linked to copper imbalance.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows copper-related proteins influence gene regulation and muscle biology, with ongoing exploration of these pathways.
Where this research is happening
-
Wesleyan University
Middletown, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Padilla-Benavides, Teresita Del Nino Jesus — Wesleyan University
- Study coordinator: Padilla-Benavides, Teresita Del Nino Jesus
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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.