How flexible protein regions help bend cell membranes
Intrinsic disorder as an organizing principle for cellular membrane remodeling
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN · NIH-11249877
This work looks at how floppy parts of proteins help cells curve their membranes, which matters for things like cancer spread and wound healing.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (AUSTIN, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11249877 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This lab research explores how intrinsically disordered (flexible) regions of proteins organize into networks that push and pull on cell membranes to create curved shapes used for movement and cargo transport. Scientists will use purified proteins and cell models to measure how attractive and repulsive interactions among these flexible regions drive membrane bending and actin bundling. The goal is to connect these basic molecular mechanisms to problems seen in cancer metastasis, cardiovascular and neurological diseases, and impaired wound healing. The work is based at the University of Texas at Austin and focuses on laboratory experiments rather than testing treatments in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers or conditions linked to abnormal cell movement or membrane remodeling who want to follow research developments or potentially donate tissue in future related studies would be relevant.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical treatments or enrollment in a therapy trial are unlikely to benefit directly from this basic lab-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to new targets to block tumor spread or improve tissue repair by altering protein interactions that shape membranes.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies (including work by this group) have shown that disordered protein regions can influence membrane shape, but translating those insights into therapies remains largely untested.
Where this research is happening
AUSTIN, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN — AUSTIN, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: STACHOWIAK, JEANNE CASSTEVENS — UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
- Study coordinator: STACHOWIAK, JEANNE CASSTEVENS
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.
Conditions: Cancers