How protein kinases control cell growth and signaling
Mechanistic studies of protein kinases
Researchers are working to understand how protein kinases regulate cell growth and signaling so future treatments can more precisely target cancers and related diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11252526 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project focuses on enzymes called protein kinases that add phosphate tags to other proteins and control many cell decisions like growth and immune responses. The team will use the Hippo pathway, a key regulator of cell number and fate, as a model and combine biochemical, biophysical, structural, computational, and cell-based approaches. They will examine molecular mechanisms that turn kinase activity up or down and search for new ways to modulate the pathway. The findings are intended to guide development of targeted therapies for cancers and developmental disorders tied to kinase dysfunction.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers or conditions linked to abnormal kinase signaling, or those willing to donate tumor or tissue samples for related lab research, would be the most relevant candidates for future opportunities connected to this work.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical treatment or those whose conditions are unrelated to kinase signaling are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal new drug targets and strategies to block harmful kinase activity, enabling more precise treatments for cancer and other diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Kinase-targeted drugs have succeeded in other pathways, but applying detailed biophysical and structural analyses specifically to the Hippo pathway is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kavran, Jennifer Marie — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Kavran, Jennifer Marie
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.