How the body's internal clock controls cell health
Official title: Circadian Regulation of Cellular Homeostasis
Funded at Texas A&m Agrilife Research · NIH-11252607 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at how the body's daily clock affects cell growth and stem cells, with possible relevance for adults at risk for breast cancer or circadian-related sleep and metabolic problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas A&m Agrilife Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | March 18, 2022 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $503,769 |
| NIH project number | 5R01ES033601-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11252607 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults concerned about breast cancer risk or people with circadian rhythm disruptions (for example shift workers or those with chronic sleep problems) would be the most relevant group for these findings.
✕Less likely to help
People whose health issues are unrelated to circadian biology or breast/tissue regeneration are unlikely to see direct benefits from this specific research.
What this research studies
The team studies how molecular clock components control stem and progenitor cell behavior using the mouse mammary gland as a model. They follow cell lineages and use molecular tools to track how clock proteins such as PER2 switch between time-keeping and developmental roles. Experiments test how disrupting normal rhythms changes cell differentiation and features linked to cancer. Results aim to link basic clock biology to tissue regeneration and cancer risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new ways to prevent or treat breast cancer and other disorders tied to disrupted circadian rhythms.
How similar studies have gone: Prior animal and molecular studies have linked clock genes to metabolism, sleep, and cancer risk, but translating those findings into human treatments is still at an early stage.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas A&m Agrilife Research
College Station, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Porter, Weston W — Texas A&m Agrilife Research
- Study coordinator: Porter, Weston W
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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.