How protein tagging (ubiquitination) affects gut lining health and colon cancer
Ubiquitination, Intestinal Homeostasis and Cancer
This project looks at how a cell process called ubiquitination affects the health of the gut lining and may lead to bowel (colon) cancer in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11159635 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are using a new genetically modified mouse that develops abnormal intestinal cell differentiation and a high risk of colon cancer to find the inflammatory signals that drive these changes. They will analyze gene activity and proteins (transcriptomics and proteomics), perform genetic interaction (epistasis) experiments, and study cells in the lab to map how immune cytokines affect intestinal epithelial cells. The goal is to understand how inflammation disturbs intestinal homeostasis and promotes transformation to cancer. Discoveries could point to specific molecules to target in future patient tests or therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with or at higher risk for bowel (colorectal) cancer or chronic intestinal inflammation (for example, people with inflammatory bowel disease) would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: Children, people with cancers not related to the bowel, or anyone seeking an immediate therapy are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this preclinical laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could identify inflammatory signals or molecular targets that lead to new tests, treatments, or prevention strategies for colon cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research has linked immune cytokines and ubiquitination pathways to colon cancer, but this specific knock-in mouse model and the detailed mechanisms being probed are relatively new.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ma, Averil I — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Ma, Averil I
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.