How ribosomes control protein production in infections and brain cells
Translational Control: Discovery and Mechanisms
This project looks at how tiny cell machines called ribosomes work in bacteria and in neurons to help find new antibiotics and better understand conditions like ALS.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11321580 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use high-resolution imaging (cryo-EM), biochemical experiments, and cell-based tests to watch ribosomes as they make proteins and respond to stress. They will map how bacterial ribosomes sense stress pathways that could be targeted by new antibiotics. The team will also examine how ribosomes detect faulty genetic messages and how protein production affects brain development and synaptic plasticity linked to neurological disorders such as ALS. The approach combines structural snapshots with cellular biochemistry to reveal detailed molecular mechanisms.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with ALS or other neurodegenerative disorders, or individuals willing to donate cells or tissue for laboratory studies, would be most relevant to this research.
Not a fit: This is primarily laboratory-based research, so many participants—especially those without infections or neurodegenerative conditions—are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new antibiotic targets and reveal mechanisms that guide future treatments for neurodegenerative diseases like ALS.
How similar studies have performed: Previous structural and biochemical work on ribosomes has produced effective antibiotics and important insights into neuronal translation, but translating these findings into therapies for ALS remains an early-stage effort.
Where this research is happening
Worcester, United States
- Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester — Worcester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Korostelev, Andrei — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Korostelev, Andrei
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.