Robust mitotic organization in triple-negative breast cancer
Official title: Robust-to-fragile transitions of a phase-separated mitotic organelle in triple-negative breast cancer
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11418076 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project studies how chromosome instability in triple-negative breast cancer happens when a key mitotic complex misbehaves, with the goal of finding ways to restore stability and prevent cancer progression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | September 12, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $402,954 |
| NIH project number | 5U54CA274499-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418076 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with triple-negative breast cancer whose tumors show chromosome instability or aneuploidy may indirectly benefit from advances arising from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without tumors exhibiting this specific mitotic instability or those not eligible for future clinical trials may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers at the University of Virginia will explore how abnormal gene activity during cell division affects a four-protein sensor that ensures correct chromosome separation. They will look at how this system forms a liquid-like condensate at centromeres and how tumors alter regulators to drive instability. By examining network-level changes and the role of the chromosome passenger complex in breast cancer cells, they aim to understand why aneuploidy arises and persists in tumors. The work combines biology experiments and molecular analyses to map how mitotic transcription factors influence genome integrity in triple-negative breast cancer. Results could point to new strategies to maintain genomic stability in cancer cells.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A better understanding of what drives chromosome instability in triple-negative breast cancer could lead to new approaches to prevent tumor progression and improve treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked mitotic regulators and chromosome instability in breast cancer, suggesting this line of investigation has potential but remains an area of active discovery.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stukenberg, P. Todd — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Stukenberg, P. Todd
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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.