Investigating how proteins are modified in living cells and their role in diseases.
Chemical Approaches for Exploring Protein Prenylation in Living Cells
This study is looking at how certain changes to proteins might play a role in diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's, with the hope of finding new ways to treat these conditions that could help patients feel better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11007246 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding protein prenylation, a process where specific molecules are added to proteins, affecting their function and involvement in various diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. By comparing the levels of prenylated proteins in healthy and diseased states, the research aims to identify changes that could lead to new therapeutic targets. The approach involves advanced techniques to analyze these modifications in living cells, which could provide insights into their roles in conditions like Alzheimer's disease and cancer. Patients may benefit from the findings as they could lead to the development of targeted treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research include individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or certain types of cancer.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to protein prenylation or those not diagnosed with Alzheimer's or cancer may not receive benefits from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies for diseases like Alzheimer's and cancer by identifying critical proteins involved in these conditions.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in targeting protein modifications for cancer treatment, indicating potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Distefano, Mark D — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Distefano, Mark D
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.