Protein-making control in tiny groups of brain cells
Official title: Addressing Protein Synthesis Regulation within Small Numbers of Discrete Neurons
Funded at Brandeis University · NIH-11259499 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project develops tools to tag and read which RNAs are being turned into proteins in very small groups of neurons to help us understand brain function and disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brandeis University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Waltham, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2013 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $406,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS130670-12 |
| Project ID | NIH-11259499 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with neurological conditions or brain tumors who can donate small tissue or cell samples for laboratory analysis would be the most relevant participants for related sample-based work.
✕Less likely to help
Patients seeking immediate treatments or clinical benefits should not expect direct benefit, because this is basic laboratory research rather than a therapeutic trial.
What this research studies
Researchers will attach RNA-editing enzymes to ribosomes so RNAs being translated receive small sequence 'marks' that can be read by sequencing. They will directly compare two recent approaches called Ribo-TRIBE and Ribo-STAMP to see which more reliably marks translated RNAs from very few cells, even single neurons. The team will use sequencing and computational methods to identify which messages are being translated in discrete neuronal subtypes and small cell populations like cancer stem cells. The work aims to make it possible to map protein production in cell types that are too rare for traditional biochemistry.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal how protein production goes wrong in some brain disorders or cancers and enable new targeted research and therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Related RNA-editing methods (TRIBE and STAMP) have shown promise for marking RNA targets, but the ribosome-fused versions are very new and are still being compared and refined.
Where this research is happening
-
Brandeis University
Waltham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rosbash, Michael — Brandeis University
- Study coordinator: Rosbash, Michael
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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.