How Our Cells Respond to Harmful Substances
Official title: Translational regulation in exposure biology - Xenobiotic-induced reprograming of tRNA modifications and selective translation of codon-biased response genes in rat and human models
Funded at State University of New York at Albany · NIH-11121003 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores how our cells change their internal instructions when exposed to harmful chemicals, focusing on tiny changes in RNA that help cells cope.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Albany NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albany, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2016 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $443,065 |
| NIH project number | 5R01ES026856-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11121003 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research does not currently involve patient participation, but future studies might seek individuals exposed to specific environmental toxins or those with conditions related to cellular stress responses.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not exposed to xenobiotics or those seeking immediate treatment options would not directly benefit from this basic science research.
What this research studies
Our bodies are constantly exposed to various chemicals, and this research looks at how human cells react to these harmful substances by changing how they make proteins. The focus is on special modifications to RNA molecules, called tRNAs, which act like translators for our genetic code. Researchers are using advanced tools to see how these tRNA changes affect which proteins are made, helping cells respond to stress. They have observed these changes in both rat and human liver cells when exposed to substances like arsenic. Understanding this process could help us find new ways to protect our bodies from environmental toxins.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new ways to protect human cells from damage caused by harmful environmental chemicals and improve our understanding of how our bodies adapt to stress.
How similar studies have gone: This research builds on existing knowledge of gene expression and RNA modifications, using novel technologies to explore a specific aspect of cellular response to xenobiotics.
Where this research is happening
-
State University of New York at Albany
Albany, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Begley, Thomas J — State University of New York at Albany
- Study coordinator: Begley, Thomas J
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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.