How microtubules help separate chromosomes during cell division
Official title: The role of microtubule dynamics in midzone driven chromosome segregation in anaphase
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11473196 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how the tiny internal scaffolding of cells (microtubules) moves and controls chromosomes during division to help improve cancer treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | February 3, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $25,227 |
| NIH project number | 3R01GM144668-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11473196 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be people with cancer who are willing to provide tumor samples or participate in future clinical studies related to drugs affecting cell division.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without cancer or whose disease is driven by non-dividing-cell mechanisms are unlikely to see direct benefit from this basic-science work.
What this research studies
Researchers use high-resolution 3-D imaging and cell models to watch microtubules in the central spindle as cells complete division. They will compare normal cells with genetically altered cells to see how microtubule growth and arrangement push or slow chromosomes. The team combines structural tomography with molecular tools to link microtubule behavior to chromosome movement. Findings may point to new ways to target cell division in cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help guide the design of cancer drugs that target cell division more precisely and reduce harmful side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Existing cancer drugs already target microtubules, but using detailed 3-D midzone imaging to inform new therapies is a newer, more mechanistic approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Redemann, Stefanie — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Redemann, Stefanie
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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.