Kinase signaling in brain development and autism at Duke
Official title: Duke Conte Center for Basic Neuroscience on Kinase Signaling in Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11348636 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Duke-led center is exploring how protein kinase signaling affects brain development and its link to autism and related disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $3,068,480 |
| NIH project number | 1P50MH144133-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11348636 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals with autism spectrum disorder or related neurodevelopmental conditions, particularly those with variations in kinase signaling pathways.
✕Less likely to help
People without neurodevelopmental disorders or those whose condition is not linked to kinase signaling may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This research center focuses on how kinase signaling affects the timing of brain circuit formation, especially in cells like radial glia, astrocytes, and neurons. Using advanced techniques such as proximity proteomics and single-cell multi-omics, the team aims to identify kinase-driven pathways that, when disrupted, may contribute to autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. The project is organized into three main research projects with shared computational, engineering, and genomic cores to integrate data and translate findings toward therapeutic ideas.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal new molecular targets to develop treatments that support healthier brain development in people with autism and related disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked kinase signaling to neurodevelopmental outcomes, with early-stage findings encouraging further exploration of targeted therapies.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Soderling, Scott H — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Soderling, Scott H
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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.