New methods to visualize the diversity of ribosomes in cells
Official title: New cryo-EM methods to visualize ribosome heterogeneity at single molecule resolution in cells
Funded at University of California Berkeley · NIH-10910792 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new ways to take super-detailed pictures of tiny structures in our cells, like ribosomes, to help us better understand how cells work in both healthy and sick conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Berkeley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Berkeley, United States) |
| Project start | September 2, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,444,500 |
| NIH project number | 1DP2GM159184-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10910792 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions that involve cellular dysfunction or diseases where ribosomal activity is implicated.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to cellular processes or ribosomal function may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing advanced cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) techniques to visualize ribosomes and other macromolecular complexes at a single molecule level within cells. By utilizing a novel approach called 2D template matching, the research aims to overcome the limitations of traditional cryo-EM that require averaging multiple molecules, which can obscure individual cellular structures. The goal is to enhance our understanding of cellular functions and interactions in both healthy and diseased states, potentially leading to breakthroughs in cellular biology.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide unprecedented insights into cellular mechanisms, improving our understanding of diseases and potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies.
How similar studies have gone: While cryo-EM has been established as a powerful imaging technique, the specific approach of using 2D template matching for single molecule visualization is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in this context.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Berkeley
Berkeley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lucas, Bronwyn Ayla — University of California Berkeley
- Study coordinator: Lucas, Bronwyn Ayla
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.