How the nucleolus helps embryonic stem cells stay able to become different cell types
A Nucleolar Paradigm for Pluripotency of Human Embryonic Stem Cells
This project looks at how a part of human embryonic stem cells called the nucleolus keeps them able to turn into many different cell types, which could inform future cancer and regenerative treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11228408 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team will work with human embryonic stem cell lines in the lab to study the nucleolus and a protein called DDX18 that helps manage RNA. They will use advanced imaging, molecular biology, and new tools for studying biomolecular condensates to see how nucleolar structure affects ribosome production, genome organization, and gene expression. Researchers will change DDX18 activity and measure impacts on protein synthesis and stem cell identity to test how nucleolar integrity supports pluripotency. Results aim to connect basic cell biology to mechanisms important in cancer and regenerative medicine.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research does not enroll patients; it uses lab-grown human embryonic stem cell lines and molecular samples rather than clinical participants.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate treatment or clinical care will not receive direct medical benefit from this laboratory-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to new molecular targets for improving stem cell therapies and clarifying cancer-related changes in ribosome production and genome organization.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work has linked nucleolar function and DDX-family helicases to RNA metabolism, but applying these ideas to control of human stem cell pluripotency is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Jianlong — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Wang, Jianlong
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.