How keratin proteins influence skin cell behavior and cancer development
Official title: Keratin and filament cell-cell junction cooperation in developmental and tumorigenic fate decisions
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10949070 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a special protein in your skin called keratin 14 to see how it affects skin cells and their behavior, which could help us understand skin health and cancer better, especially in situations where the skin is under stress.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | December 9, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $90,720 |
| NIH project number | 4K00CA274517-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10949070 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of skin conditions or those at high risk for skin cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-skin-related cancers or those without any skin health issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of keratin proteins, specifically keratin 14, in skin cell behavior and their potential impact on cancer development. By studying how these proteins interact and change in response to various conditions, the research aims to understand their influence on cell communication and growth. The approach includes creating genetically modified mouse models to observe the effects of specific keratin mutations on skin health and cancer progression. This could provide insights into how skin cells maintain their structure and function, especially under stress or disease conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating skin cancers by targeting the mechanisms that regulate skin cell behavior.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of keratins in skin biology and cancer, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Redmond, Catherine Julia — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Redmond, Catherine Julia
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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.