Polycystins, cilia, and extracellular vesicles in C. elegans
Funded at Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. · NIH-11380054 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in a worm model investigates how disease-related proteins (polycystins) travel in tiny bubbles and how this might relate to kidney disease in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Piscataway, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2001 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $592,743 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK059418-27 |
| Project ID | NIH-11380054 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease or health researchers studying ADPKD.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without ADPKD or kidney-related conditions are unlikely to benefit directly.
What this research studies
Researchers will use a fluorescent C. elegans model to watch how polycystin proteins are carried by ciliary extracellular vesicles and how these EVs are produced and directed within living animals. They will combine advanced imaging to see where these vesicles come from on the cilium and how mechanical stimuli influence their release and communication between animals. The work aims to connect findings in worms to human autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), where the same proteins are involved. This could illuminate new biomarkers or pathways that impact kidney health in ADPKD patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal how ciliary EVs contribute to ADPKD biology and identify new targets for diagnosis or therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies in animals and humans show polycystin-related EVs and ciliary biology are linked to disease processes, supporting potential relevance.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
Piscataway, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barr, Maureen M — Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
- Study coordinator: Barr, Maureen M
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.