How the fats in cell membranes shape cell behavior and health
The functional organization of mammalian membranes
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA · NIH-11372787
Looking at how fats in cell membranes control cell behavior to help people with cancer and heart disease.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CHARLOTTESVILLE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11372787 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers study the mix of lipids (fats) that make up cell membranes and how that mix affects membrane traits like fluidity, curvature, and sidedness. They use laboratory experiments, imaging, and molecular tools to change lipid composition in cells and model membranes and observe effects on signaling and cell behavior. The team links these basic findings to disease-related changes in cancers and cardiovascular disease by examining how lipid dysregulation alters cell functions. Their long-term aim is to predict and engineer membrane features to steer cell signaling in ways that could be useful for treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancer or cardiovascular disease who can provide tissue or blood samples for laboratory studies or who wish to be considered for future related trials would be most relevant.
Not a fit: Patients without cancer or cardiovascular disease, or those unable to provide samples or travel to the study site, are unlikely to directly benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could point to new ways to treat cancer and heart disease by targeting membrane lipids to change cell signaling.
How similar studies have performed: Basic research has shown membrane lipids influence signaling and disease processes, but translating these findings into patient treatments remains early and experimental.
Where this research is happening
CHARLOTTESVILLE, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA — CHARLOTTESVILLE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LEVENTAL, ILYA — UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
- Study coordinator: LEVENTAL, ILYA
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.
Conditions: Cancers, Cardiovascular Diseases