How serine codons help pancreatic tumors survive
Official title: Elucidating The Adaptive Role Of Serine Codons During Pancreatic Tumorigenesis
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11473213 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how changes in the genetic 'serine' code help pancreatic cancer cells survive low‑nutrient conditions and aims to find ways to block that for people with pancreatic cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | March 6, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $103,192 |
| NIH project number | 3R37CA289040-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11473213 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma would be the people most likely to benefit from therapies developed from this work.
✕Less likely to help
People without pancreatic cancer or whose tumors do not depend on serine‑related translation pathways are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
As someone affected by pancreatic cancer, you should know researchers are studying how specific serine codons in the genetic code change which proteins tumor cells make when nutrients are scarce. They will use lab models, CRISPR‑based gene screens, and tumor experiments to find which codons alter protein production and help cancer cells adapt. The team will test ways to stop those codon‑specific translation changes so tumors cannot activate multiple survival pathways in serine‑poor environments. These lab findings could point to new drug targets or dietary strategies to weaken pancreatic tumors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new molecular targets or strategies to make pancreatic tumors less able to survive and respond better to treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Previous lab and animal studies show serine restriction can slow pancreatic tumor growth, but targeting codon‑specific translation is a newer and less tested approach.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Banh, Robert Singhung — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Banh, Robert Singhung
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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.