How protein droplets in cells shift from fluid to solid in cancer and neurodegeneration
Quantifying Physiologic and Pathologic Viscoelastic Phases of Biomolecular Condensates by Correlative Force and Fluorescence Microscopy
This research measures how tiny protein droplets inside cells become more solid or sticky in ways that can harm people with cancers or neurodegenerative conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Amherst, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11090884 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks inside cells to measure the material properties of biomolecular condensates—tiny, membrane-free protein droplets that organize cell processes. Researchers use advanced tools like optical tweezers, atomic force microscopy, and fluorescence imaging to probe how these droplets flow, age, and harden over time, including when disease-linked mutations are present. They will compare simpler single-component droplets to multi-component condensates in living cells to see whether the forces that drive healthy compartment formation differ from those that lead to pathological solidification. Results aim to link physical changes in condensates to mechanisms of cancer and neurodegenerative disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers or neurodegenerative conditions who can donate tissue, blood, or other biospecimens—or who are willing to take part in related observational sample collections—would be the most relevant participants.
Not a fit: People without diseases linked to protein aggregation, or those expecting immediate clinical treatments, are unlikely to see direct benefit from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal physical changes in protein condensates that become targets for new diagnostics or therapies for cancer and neurodegeneration.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies, including the PI's optical tweezer nanorheology work, have shown condensate mechanics and disease-linked changes, but applying these quantitative tools to complex condensates in living cells is a newer advance.
Where this research is happening
Amherst, United States
- State University of New York at Buffalo — Amherst, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Banerjee, Priya R. — State University of New York at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Banerjee, Priya R.
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.