How Microbes Influence Cell Communication
Microbial Control of Host Intercellular Communication
This project aims to understand how cells talk to each other and how certain bacteria can change this communication, which could help us learn more about diseases like cancer and heart conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11116927 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies rely on cells communicating to stay healthy and function properly. Sometimes, cells exchange tiny parts or signals directly, and when this process goes wrong, it can contribute to serious illnesses like cancer and heart disease. This project looks at how a specific bacterium, Listeria, spreads between cells by mimicking and manipulating our natural cell communication pathways. By studying how Listeria takes over these pathways, we hope to uncover the basic rules of how cells communicate and what happens when that communication is disrupted.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients but aims to benefit individuals affected by diseases linked to cell communication, such as cancer and cardiovascular conditions, in the long term.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate new treatments or direct clinical interventions would not directly benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could provide foundational knowledge about cell communication that may lead to new ways to prevent or treat diseases like cancer and cardiovascular conditions.
How similar studies have performed: While recent work suggests the importance of intercellular communication, this project seeks a fundamental molecular understanding, indicating a novel approach to a complex problem.
Where this research is happening
Cambridge, United States
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Cambridge, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lamason, Rebecca L — Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Lamason, Rebecca L
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.