How tiny motor proteins move cargo and shape the cell's skeleton
Coordination of molecular motor activity in intracellular transport and assembly of cytoskeletal archit
Scientists are looking at how molecular motors carry materials inside brain cells to better understand problems that can lead to Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11175309 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my point of view, the team watches the tiny machines (motor proteins) that walk along the cell's scaffolding to move cargo and help build the cell's internal structure. They use lab models, purified proteins, and advanced microscopy to see how motors attach to cargos, are turned on, and work together when pulling in opposite directions. The work digs into how microtubules and actin filaments interact with regulatory proteins that control motor activity. Findings may explain why transport breaks down in neurons and suggest points where future treatments could intervene.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, or those at risk who are willing to provide biological samples or participate in related observational sample-collection efforts would be the most relevant participants.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate symptom relief or those with unrelated medical conditions are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this basic lab-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new targets to prevent or fix the transport failures that contribute to neuronal damage in Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies have clarified how many motor proteins move and interact, but turning those basic findings into effective Alzheimer's treatments has not yet been achieved.
Where this research is happening
Davis, United States
- University of California at Davis — Davis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mckenney, Richard James — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Mckenney, Richard James
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.