NIH-funded research R21 grant

Measuring Sirtuin Activity in Cancer Cells

Official title: A Bioluminescent Assay for Direct Measurement of Sirtuin Activity in Cancer Cells

Funded at Versiti Wisconsin, INC. · NIH-10486045 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is working on a new way to see how certain proteins called sirtuins are working in cancer cells, which could help scientists better understand cancer and develop new treatments.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVersiti Wisconsin, INC.
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Milwaukee, United States)
Project startSeptember 10, 2021
Project endAugust 31, 2025
Funding year2022
Award (this year)$296,084
NIH project number5R21CA256128-02
Project IDNIH-10486045 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with various types of cancer who may benefit from targeted therapies that modulate sirtuin activity.

Less likely to help

Patients with non-malignant conditions or those not diagnosed with cancer may not receive any benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a new bioluminescent assay to measure the activity of sirtuins, which are proteins that play a crucial role in regulating various cellular functions, including cancer development. The assay aims to provide real-time insights into sirtuin activity within cancer cells, overcoming limitations of existing methods that are often inaccurate or lack sensitivity. By using a novel luciferase-based approach, the researchers hope to create a reliable tool for studying sirtuins in both laboratory and animal models, which could aid in drug development and understanding cancer biology.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved methods for assessing cancer treatment effectiveness and developing new therapies targeting sirtuin activity.

How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using bioluminescent assays is established, the specific application to real-time measurement of sirtuin activity in cancer cells is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

  • Versiti Wisconsin, INC.
    Milwaukee, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Deininger, Michael W. — Versiti Wisconsin, INC.
  • Study coordinator: Deininger, Michael W.

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About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.