How the molecule Malat1 helps keep bones strong
Official title: Regulation of bone homeostasis and remodeling by long noncoding RNA Malat1
Funded at Hospital for Special Surgery · NIH-11285284 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is seeing if the molecule called Malat1 helps bone cells stay balanced to prevent bone loss in people with conditions like osteoporosis and Albers-Schonberg disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Hospital for Special Surgery NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2021 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $417,595 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR078212-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11285284 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with bone-remodeling disorders such as osteoporosis or Albers-Schonberg disease would be the most likely future candidates for therapies developed from this research.
✕Less likely to help
People without bone disease or those seeking immediate clinical treatments are unlikely to get direct benefit from this preclinical-focused research right now.
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers are using laboratory models and genetic tools to understand how Malat1 controls the activity of bone-forming cells (osteoblasts) and bone-resorbing cells (osteoclasts). They compare animals lacking Malat1 with normal controls and examine cell behavior, signaling pathways such as beta-catenin, and cross-talk between bone cells. The team analyzes bone density and remodeling markers to link molecular changes to actual bone loss. The goal is to identify mechanisms that could be targeted by future diagnostics or treatments for bone diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets to prevent or reverse bone loss and lead to future therapies for osteoporosis and related bone diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies show long noncoding RNAs can change cell behavior, but applying Malat1 findings to treat human bone disease is largely novel and remains at the preclinical stage.
Where this research is happening
-
Hospital for Special Surgery
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhao, Baohong — Hospital for Special Surgery
- Study coordinator: Zhao, Baohong
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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.