How mitochondria control calcium entry
Molecular Physiology of Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter
This project looks at how the mitochondrial calcium channel controls calcium inside cells and how that affects conditions like heart failure, stroke, neurodegeneration, cancer, and muscle disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11349743 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers are studying the mitochondrial calcium uniporter—the channel that moves calcium into mitochondria—using precise electrical measurements and gene-edited cells. They made multiple CRISPR knockout cell lines that lack individual channel parts and then reintroduce components in a controlled expression system. Using mitochondrial patch-clamp and biochemical tests, they measure how each subunit affects calcium flow, channel opening, and risk of damaging calcium overload. The team aims to link these basic mechanisms to processes that lead to cell death in tissues such as heart, brain, and muscle.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with conditions tied to mitochondrial calcium dysfunction—like heart failure, ischemia–reperfusion injury (heart attack or stroke), certain neurodegenerative diseases, some cancers, or muscular dystrophies—would be most relevant to this research.
Not a fit: Patients with health issues unrelated to mitochondrial calcium handling or healthy volunteers are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this laboratory-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal targets to prevent mitochondrial calcium overload and reduce cell death in heart attacks, strokes, neurodegeneration, and muscle diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Previous biochemical and structural studies have identified parts of the uniporter and the team has applied patch-clamp and CRISPR models successfully, but moving from these mechanistic insights to clinical treatments is still early.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- University of Maryland Baltimore — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Garg, Vivek — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Garg, Vivek
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.