How unusual cell-surface receptors can drive bone problems, cancer, and birth defects
Understanding Signaling by Non-Canonical Receptor Tyrosine Kinases
Learning how special receptor proteins on cell surfaces send signals that can lead to bone disorders, some cancers, and congenital malformations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11322652 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you or a loved one has a bone disorder, cancer, or a congenital condition, this work looks at unusual receptor proteins on cell surfaces that send signals differently from typical receptors. Researchers at Yale use techniques like structural biology, biochemical experiments, and cell and animal models to see how these 'non-canonical' receptors bind partners such as WNT and pass messages into the cell. They study how genetic changes or abnormal signaling in these receptors can cause disease features such as abnormal bone growth or tumor development. Though the research is lab-based, its findings could point toward new targets for drugs or diagnostic tests that might be tested in patients later.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with inherited or acquired bone disorders, tumors linked to receptor tyrosine kinase pathways, or congenital malformations related to WNT/RTK signaling would be most relevant.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are unrelated to RTK or WNT signaling are unlikely to see direct benefit from this specific work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could reveal new molecular targets or pathways that lead to therapies or diagnostics for bone diseases, cancers, and congenital disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies of canonical RTKs and some WNT-related receptors have led to successful drug development, but non-canonical RTKs are less understood and this work is partly novel.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lemmon, Mark a — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Lemmon, Mark a
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.