Mapping chloride inside cell compartments
Development and Application of Organelle Chemotype Fingerprinting for the Functional Investigation of Organellar Chloride
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT COLUMBIA · NIH-11458383
This project develops a new method to map chloride inside tiny parts of living cells to help people with chloride-related conditions like cystic fibrosis, certain kidney disorders, and osteoporosis.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT COLUMBIA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (COLUMBIA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11458383 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
For patients, the team is creating a high-resolution chemical 'fingerprint' that can measure chloride levels inside the different compartments (organelles) of living cells. They will combine new molecular sensors with 3-D imaging to see how chloride changes in organelles and how disease-related channel mutations affect those levels. The researchers will study cells carrying mutations linked to conditions such as CFTR-related cystic fibrosis, kidney disorders, and bone disease to understand how organellar chloride disruption contributes to illness. This lab-based work aims to generate knowledge and tools that could guide future drug development targeting organellar chloride channels.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with conditions caused by chloride channel mutations (for example cystic fibrosis, certain inherited kidney disorders, or bone diseases linked to chloride channels) or individuals willing to donate cells or samples for lab research.
Not a fit: People without chloride‑channel-related conditions or those seeking immediate clinical treatments are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the new measurement method could reveal drug targets and enable therapies that fix chloride imbalances inside cell compartments for people with chloride-channel disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Drugs targeting cell-surface chloride channels have had some success, but approaches that target organellar chloride are novel and largely untested.
Where this research is happening
COLUMBIA, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT COLUMBIA — COLUMBIA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LEUNG, KA HO — UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT COLUMBIA
- Study coordinator: LEUNG, KA HO
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.