Molecular basis of how microtubules and intermediate filaments work together in brain cells
Official title: Revealing the Molecular Basis of Microtubule-Intermediate Filament Interactions.
Funded at Van Andel Research Institute · NIH-11391317 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Scientists are studying how tiny cellular scaffolds interact in myelinated brain fibers to better understand nerve cell structure and function.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Van Andel Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Grand Rapids, United States) |
| Project start | August 9, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $528,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM160317-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11391317 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not a patient-facing trial; findings may eventually inform therapies for patients with nervous system conditions.
✕Less likely to help
This grant itself does not enroll patients or involve patient participation.
What this research studies
This project aims to uncover the specific molecular changes that guide how microtubules and intermediate filaments connect and cooperate in myelinated axons, which are essential for fast nerve signaling. Researchers will explore how various subunits, binding proteins, and chemical modifications influence the arrangement and behavior of these cytoskeletal components. Using advanced 3-D assays and biochemical techniques, the work will map how these interactions differ across tissue contexts to reveal universal and unique rules. The insights could inform approaches to repair nerve tissue and improve strategies for neurological therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A deeper understanding of axonal structure could lead to new therapies for nerve injuries and neurodegenerative diseases where cytoskeletal organization is disrupted.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that cytoskeletal interactions are context-dependent, but this project targets the specific MT-IF interactions in myelinated axons, which is a relatively novel focus.
Where this research is happening
-
Van Andel Research Institute
Grand Rapids, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Walton, Travis — Van Andel Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Walton, Travis
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.