How cytoskeletal proteins evolve for specific roles in different tissues
Official title: Evolutionary Diversification of Cytoskeletal Proteins for Tissue-Specialized Roles
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11019434 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how certain proteins in our cells, especially those related to actin, change and adapt over time, focusing on their roles in fertility and development, using fruit flies and mammals to help us understand how these changes might affect our health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $410,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R35GM156807-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11019434 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing difficulties conceiving or those with developmental issues potentially related to cytoskeletal protein functions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have issues related to fertility or developmental disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the evolution and diversification of cytoskeletal proteins, particularly the actin-related protein superfamily, which play crucial roles in various cellular functions. By examining genetic variations in model organisms like Drosophila and mammals, the study aims to understand how these proteins adapt for specific tissue functions, especially in relation to fertility and development. The approach includes analyzing amino acid substitutions and their impact on protein function, which could reveal new insights into cellular processes that affect health and disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for addressing fertility issues and developmental disorders linked to cytoskeletal protein functions.
How similar studies have gone: While the study of actin-related proteins is well-established, the specific focus on their rapid diversification and tissue specialization is a novel approach that has not been extensively explored.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schroeder, Courtney Megan — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Schroeder, Courtney Megan
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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.