Telomerase RNP: How it controls cell aging and cancer
Official title: Telomerase RNP Prisonbreaks from Phase-Separated Nuclear Body
Funded at Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr · NIH-11327400 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research grant is exploring how the telomerase enzyme influences aging and most cancers, with the hope of finding new ways to treat cancer or protect healthy cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $470,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM150538-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11327400 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with cancers that rely on telomerase or those with telomere diseases may benefit from future therapies inspired by this work.
✕Less likely to help
In the short term, this is basic science and may not result in immediate patient therapies.
What this research studies
This project studies telomerase, a key enzyme that can both protect stem cells and fuel cancer growth. Researchers have identified how telomerase components interact and how chemical changes affect its activity, aiming to reveal new targets for therapy. The work uses advanced RNA profiling and genetic approaches to understand how to safely control telomerase in cells. The findings could point to novel treatments that stop cancer cells from growing while preserving healthy cells.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new anti-cancer strategies that disrupt telomerase in cancer cells while minimizing harm to normal tissues.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has linked telomerase activity to cancer, and similar approaches have advanced understanding of telomere biology, though direct clinical applications are still evolving.
Where this research is happening
-
Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Lu — Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Chen, Lu
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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.