Lysosome signals in intestinal stem cells and cancer
Official title: The lysosomal fasting response in intestinal stem cells and cancer
Funded at Massachusetts Institute of Technology · NIH-11359743 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist team will study how lysosomes and fasting affect intestinal stem cells and the development of cancer, using the mouse intestine as a model.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,183,896 |
| NIH project number | 4R01DK140310-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11359743 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients with intestinal cancers or those at risk, for whom future therapies targeting lysosome pathways might be relevant.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without intestinal diseases or those not impacted by lysosome pathways may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how nutrient changes activate lysosomes to support intestinal stem cells and how this process may influence tumor formation. It focuses on two transcription factors, TFE3 and TFEB, that control lysosome function and metabolism, especially under fasting. By studying these pathways in the intestine, the team hopes to identify targets that could prevent cancer or support healthier aging. The work combines cell biology, animal models, and molecular analysis to map how lysosome-driven signals connect metabolism to stem cell maintenance and tumorigenesis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could reveal new ways to prevent or treat cancers that originate in the gut by targeting lysosome-related pathways.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in other tissues suggest lysosome signaling affects stem cells and cancer, making this approach promising but still exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yilmaz, Omer — Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Yilmaz, Omer
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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.