How tiny hair-like cilia move and are controlled
Structure and Function of Complexes that Regulate Ciliary Motility
Researchers are working to understand how cilia—the tiny hair-like structures on cells—produce their beating motions so people with cilia-related conditions like primary ciliary dyskinesia, some infertility, and certain congenital heart or brain problems might benefit in the future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11291321 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work looks at the molecular machines inside cilia that make them beat, focusing on the protein complexes that control dynein, the motor that drives motion. Scientists use high-resolution structural methods and comparisons of normal and mutant cilia to see how these parts fit together and change during beating. The project combines biochemical, imaging, and biophysical experiments (often in cells and model systems) to map how signals alter motor activity and coordinate the beat. Understanding these details aims to explain why cilia fail in certain genetic conditions and point toward ways to detect or treat those problems.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with known or suspected cilia-related conditions—for example primary ciliary dyskinesia, unexplained chronic respiratory disease, some infertility cases, or congenital heart/brain anomalies linked to ciliary defects—would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are unrelated to ciliary structure or motility (for example metabolic, purely vascular, or non-ciliary neurological disorders) would be unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could improve diagnosis and eventually lead to better treatments for diseases caused by faulty cilia, such as primary ciliary dyskinesia, some forms of infertility, and certain congenital heart or brain developmental defects.
How similar studies have performed: Previous structural and molecular studies have identified many ciliary components and provided promising leads, but key questions about how regulatory complexes control dynein and produce coordinated beating remain unresolved.
Where this research is happening
Dallas, United States
- Ut Southwestern Medical Center — Dallas, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nicastro, Daniela — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Nicastro, Daniela
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.