How RNA Movement in Cells Affects Development and Cancer
Regulation and function of subcellular RNA localization in neural crest cells and their derivatives
This project aims to understand how the location of genetic material called RNA inside cells influences cell behavior, especially in conditions like cancer and birth defects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Riverside NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Riverside, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11126829 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our cells rely on messenger RNA (mRNA) to carry instructions for making proteins, and where this mRNA is located within a cell can be very important for how the cell functions. This project explores how mRNA localization affects cell movement, a process crucial for normal development but also for the spread of aggressive cancers like melanoma. We will use cultured melanoma cells to discover how mRNA is regulated and how its location impacts protein function. Additionally, we will use mouse models to observe mRNA localization during development and test the role of a specific localized mRNA, Kif1c, in development and cancer progression.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is relevant to patients with cancers, particularly melanoma, and those with birth defects linked to cell migration and neural crest cell development.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to cell migration, neural crest cells, or the specific cancers being studied may not directly benefit from this particular research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could provide a deeper understanding of how cancers develop and spread, potentially leading to new strategies for treatment or prevention.
How similar studies have performed: While the importance of mRNA localization for cell migration is known, the precise mechanisms by which it regulates protein function in this context are still unclear, making this a novel exploration of those specific mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
Riverside, United States
- University of California Riverside — Riverside, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Norris, Megan L — University of California Riverside
- Study coordinator: Norris, Megan L
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.