Phospho-Regulation of Centrosome Assembly in C. elegans
Official title: Phospho-Regulation of Centrosome Assembly and Function
Funded at Oakland University · NIH-11444990 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist-led study in a model worm investigates how chemical signals control how cells duplicate their organizing centers, which is important for healthy development and may relate to cancer when it goes wrong.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oakland University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $573,750 |
| NIH project number | 1R15GM166962-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11444990 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not directly a patient-facing study; focuses on basic science in model organisms, with potential future translational relevance.
✕Less likely to help
No immediate benefit to patients from participation in this basic research project.
What this research studies
This project uses C. elegans cells to study how phosphorylation controls centrosome duplication and prevents errors that can lead to cancer and developmental disorders. The team proposes that CK2 kinase and PP2A phosphatase dynamically regulate a core centrosome protein, SAS-5, by adding or removing phosphate groups and by affecting its degradation. They will test whether CK2-driven phosphorylation lowers SAS-5 activity and causes its breakdown, while PP2A counteracts this to maintain proper centrosome duplication. The work combines genetic and biochemical approaches to map the key phosphorylation events and their consequences for cell division. Results could reveal targets to correct centrosome-related problems in diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding this regulatory balance could inform new strategies to prevent or treat diseases linked to abnormal cell division, such as cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in model organisms supports the importance of phosphorylation in centrosome control, but the exact CK2/PP2A regulation of SAS-5 is a novel focus here.
Where this research is happening
-
Oakland University
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Song, Mi Hye — Oakland University
- Study coordinator: Song, Mi Hye
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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.