Macropinosome biology in immune cells and cancer cells
Official title: Elucidating mechanisms of macropinosome formation, stabilization, and trafficking
Funded at South Dakota State University · NIH-11228096 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at how immune cells like macrophages form and move large internal compartments to help immune responses and cancer cell growth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | South Dakota State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Brookings, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $304,952 |
| NIH project number | 1R01GM157516-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11228096 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients with autoimmune conditions or cancers where macrophage or antigen presentation pathways are relevant and who might benefit from future targeted therapies arising from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Participants in this grant will not be enrolled as patients; this is a basic science project using cellular and molecular techniques.
What this research studies
The project aims to uncover the steps and proteins that control the formation, stabilization, and trafficking of macropinosomes in immune cells and cancer cells. Using CRISPR-based screens, phosphoproteomics, and molecular biology, the team will identify key regulators such as UVRAG, VPS34-II, Rab5 activators/effectors, and PAK2 that modulate this process. The work focuses on understanding how these pathways influence antigen presentation, inflammation resolution, and cellular nutrient uptake. Insights could reveal targets to modulate immune responses or tumor cell behavior.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Discoveries could lead to new ways to modulate macrophage function and antigen presentation, potentially improving treatments for autoimmune diseases and cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous CRISPR and phosphoproteomics approaches have successfully identified regulators of endocytic pathways, supporting the potential for meaningful discoveries here.
Where this research is happening
-
South Dakota State University
Brookings, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thiex, Natalie Wendt — South Dakota State University
- Study coordinator: Thiex, Natalie Wendt
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.