How the nucleus affects breast cancer spread and emerin’s role
Official title: Mechanotransduction from the tumor microenvironment to the nuclear envelope protein emerin enables nuclear softening during cancer metastasis
Funded at Rowan University · NIH-11444492 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A researcher-led project at Rowan University is exploring how the cell nucleus and a protein called emerin influence the spread of breast cancer, especially the aggressive triple-negative type.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rowan University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Glassboro, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $564,078 |
| NIH project number | 1R15CA309616-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11444492 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with breast cancer, especially those with triple-negative breast cancer or high metastatic risk, could benefit from advances related to this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with breast cancer that do not rely on nucleus mechanics or emerin pathways for metastasis may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how mechanical signals inside cancer cells change the nucleus via emerin and how this affects the cancer's ability to invade and metastasize. The work focuses on triple-negative breast cancer, a particularly hard-to-treat form, by examining nuclear mechanics and their link to cancer progression. They will use laboratory models to test if altering emerin levels can make cancer cells stiffer and less able to squeeze through tissues. This could point to new angles for therapies that slow or stop metastasis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could identify new targets to limit metastasis in breast cancer, potentially improving survival for patients with aggressive disease.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has linked nuclear mechanics to cancer cell invasion, with some studies suggesting targeting nuclear stiffness can affect metastasis.
Where this research is happening
-
Rowan University
Glassboro, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Holaska, James Michael — Rowan University
- Study coordinator: Holaska, James Michael
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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.