Keeping mitochondria working properly
Official title: Mitochondrial Fidelity and Homeostasis
Funded at University of Nebraska Lincoln · NIH-11324522 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how cells keep mitochondria healthy to help prevent or treat conditions like ALS, Parkinsonism, heart problems, and some cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Lincoln NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lincoln, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2019 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $398,414 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM131701-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11324522 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with conditions tied to mitochondrial dysfunction—for example ALS, certain neuropathies, Parkinsonism, mitochondrial-related heart disease, or related dementias—would be most relevant for participation or future trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose illnesses are unrelated to mitochondrial biology or who need immediate clinical treatments are unlikely to see direct benefits from this basic research in the short term.
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, scientists are studying the cellular systems that maintain mitochondrial protein folding, assembly, and membrane integrity so mitochondria can keep cells alive and working. They use a range of laboratory approaches across model systems to map conserved quality-control mechanisms and how those mechanisms respond to stress. The team links these basic processes to human disorders such as ALS, neuropathies, Parkinsonism, hearing loss, certain dementias, heart disease, and some cancers. Researchers aim to learn how to manipulate these mechanisms to eventually guide new treatments that protect vulnerable cells.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal ways to protect nerve, heart, and other cells from degeneration and point to new therapeutic strategies for mitochondrial-related diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Researchers have identified important mitochondrial quality-control pathways before, but turning those findings into reliable clinical treatments remains largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Khalimonchuk, Oleh — University of Nebraska Lincoln
- Study coordinator: Khalimonchuk, Oleh
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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.