How mitochondrial DNA truncations change cancer cells
Defining the function of Complex I truncating mutations in cancer
Researchers will use new mitochondrial gene-editing tools in lab-grown cancer cells to learn how missing pieces of mitochondrial genes change tumor cell behavior and metabolism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11247168 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses cutting-edge mitochondrial DNA editing to introduce truncating mutations into genes that power the cell's energy factory (Complex I) in cancer cell lines. The team will measure how these mutations change cell metabolism, gene activity, and the mix of normal versus mutated mitochondrial genomes using single-cell sequencing. Work focuses on cancer types where these mutations are common, like colorectal, kidney, and thyroid cancers. The goal is to understand whether and how these mitochondrial changes help tumors grow and survive.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with colorectal, kidney, or thyroid cancers whose tumors show mitochondrial DNA truncating mutations would be most relevant to this line of research.
Not a fit: People without mitochondrial DNA mutations in their tumors or those seeking immediate treatment options are unlikely to see direct benefit from this lab-based work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could clarify how certain mitochondrial mutations drive cancer and point to new ways to identify or target tumors that carry them.
How similar studies have performed: Recent advances in mitochondrial base-editing (DdCBE) have enabled precise point changes in mtDNA, but using these tools to create and study truncating mitochondrial mutations in cancer cells is a novel application.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Reznik, Eduard — Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
- Study coordinator: Reznik, Eduard
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.