Proteins that move cargo inside the cell's antenna (cilia)
Intraflagellar Transport Proteins in Mice
Researchers are learning how tiny transport proteins keep cell antennae (cilia) working so we can better understand birth defects, degenerative diseases, and some cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11260231 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses mouse models to explore how intraflagellar transport (IFT) proteins build and maintain the primary cilium, a small cellular antenna important for signaling. The team examines how IFT particles and motor proteins move cargo along ciliary microtubules and how that movement controls Hedgehog signaling. Experiments combine genetics in mice, molecular biology, and imaging to track cilia structure and signaling changes. The goal is to link specific molecular defects to the developmental and degenerative problems seen when cilia do not work properly.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with inherited ciliopathies, unexplained developmental birth defects linked to cilia, or conditions associated with abnormal Hedgehog signaling would be most relevant to this research.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to cilia or Hedgehog pathways, or those seeking immediate clinical treatments, are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this basic mouse-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal targets for new diagnostics or therapies for ciliopathies, developmental disorders, and diseases tied to Hedgehog signaling.
How similar studies have performed: Previous cell and mouse research has connected IFT defects to human ciliopathies, but moving from these findings to clinical treatments remains at an early stage.
Where this research is happening
Worcester, United States
- Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester — Worcester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pazour, Gregory J — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Pazour, Gregory J
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 below.