Investigating how a specific RNA structure affects energy production in cells
Official title: Human COX7B Contains a cAMP-Responsive Riboswitch that Modulates Oxidative Phosphorylation
Funded at University of Utah · NIH-10827218 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a special part of our cells called a riboswitch that helps control how our body uses energy, and by learning more about it, researchers hope to find new ways to help people with metabolic disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $39,593 |
| NIH project number | 1F31GM153113-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10827218 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with metabolic disorders or conditions related to energy production in cells.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with unrelated health conditions or those not experiencing metabolic issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on a unique RNA structure called a riboswitch, which can regulate gene expression in response to metabolic changes. The team is using advanced techniques to identify and study these riboswitches in human cells, particularly looking at one that interacts with a protein involved in energy production. By understanding how this riboswitch influences cellular respiration, the research aims to uncover new insights into metabolic regulation and its implications for health. Patients may benefit from findings that could lead to novel treatments for metabolic disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for managing metabolic disorders and improving energy production in cells.
How similar studies have gone: While riboswitches have been extensively studied in bacteria, this research is exploring their role in eukaryotic cells, making it a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Skabelund, Rachel Anne — University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Skabelund, Rachel Anne
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Evaluating a new injectable contraceptive for women
This study is testing a new long-lasting birth control shot called levonorgestrel butanoate, especially for women who are overweight and at risk for blood clots, to see if it works well and is safe without the added hormones found in other methods.
-
Understanding how cells respond to changes in membrane tension
This study looks at how yeast cells react when their outer layer gets stretched or squeezed due to changes in their environment, helping us understand how they stay healthy and function properly.
-
A program to lead and conduct clinical trials for gastrointestinal cancers.
This study is all about finding better treatments for gastrointestinal cancers, and it invites patients to join exciting clinical trials at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, where expert doctors are working together to discover new therapies that could help improve their health.
-
New treatment for high phosphate levels in kidney disease patients
This study is testing a new way to help people with chronic kidney disease and those on dialysis lower their high phosphate levels in the blood by using special materials that can quickly and safely remove excess phosphate, offering a better option than current treatments.
-
Testing new treatments to help manage epilepsy
This study is looking at new treatments and devices to help people with epilepsy, especially those who have trouble with their current medications, to see if they can better control their seizures and improve their daily lives.
-
Exploring how flexible emotion regulation affects stress and emotional disorders in ethnic minority college students
This study looks at how college students from different ethnic backgrounds handle their feelings when faced with everyday stress, like discrimination and money worries, to see how this affects their anxiety and depression, and it aims to provide helpful insights for them.
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.