How FOXO proteins change NOTCH and JAK/STAT signaling in stem cells
Official title: Investigating fundamental signal transduction mechanisms impacted by FOXO transcription factors on NOTCH and JAK/STAT Pathways in stem cell contexts
Funded at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley · NIH-11195003 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are looking at how FOXO proteins alter important cell signals in stem cells and some cancers to learn what keeps cells in a stem-like state.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Rio Grande Valley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Edinburg, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $148,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM153687-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11195003 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with stem-cell-driven cancers (for example glioblastoma) or patients able to donate tissue or blood samples to research would be most relevant to this work.
✕Less likely to help
Patients seeking an immediate new treatment are unlikely to benefit directly because this is laboratory research focused on basic mechanisms.
What this research studies
This project uses lab-based experiments to see where FOXO proteins bind DNA and how they change NOTCH and JAK/STAT signaling in stem cells. Scientists will work with cell models and molecular methods such as chromatin accessibility mapping to track changes in gene activity. The team will focus on contexts relevant to tissue repair and cancers that rely on stem-like cells, including glioblastoma. Findings aim to reveal the molecular switches that keep cells from differentiating or that promote tumor-driving cell states.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new molecular targets to block cancer-driving stem cells or improve tissue regeneration strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous laboratory studies have shown FOXO factors influence stem-like behavior in embryonic cells and some cancers, but the detailed links to NOTCH and JAK/STAT signaling are still being worked out.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Keniry, Megan E — University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- Study coordinator: Keniry, Megan E
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.