Non-canonical roles of energy-boosting enzymes in stress resilience
Official title: Uncovering Non-canonical Roles of Phosphagen Systems in Stress Resilience Using C. elegans
Funded at University of North Carolina Wilmington · NIH-11360919 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aiming to understand how certain energy-boosting enzymes help cells cope with stress, using a worm model to uncover tissues where this protection works best and how it could help aging and disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of North Carolina Wilmington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Wilmington, United States) |
| Project start | August 8, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $546,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R15GM164975-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11360919 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to a specific patient group; findings may eventually inform aging-related therapies in humans.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient benefits are not guaranteed in the short term; results are foundational.
What this research studies
This project uses the worm C. elegans to study three versions of phosphagen kinases and how they help organisms tolerate stress. By testing different tissues, researchers will see where these enzymes provide protection and whether their benefits resemble antioxidant effects on energy systems. The work could reveal new ways to support tissue health during aging and disease. The study builds on established worm models to explore tissue-specific roles that are hard to dissect in humans or rodents.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could point to new targets for therapies that boost cellular stress defenses and tissue health during aging or disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in model organisms supports context-dependent roles for energy-related enzymes in stress responses, but direct human relevance awaits further research.
Where this research is happening
-
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fausett, Sarah Rachel — University of North Carolina Wilmington
- Study coordinator: Fausett, Sarah Rachel
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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.