Telomeres and Telomerase in Cancer
Official title: Structure and Dynamics of Telomeres and Telomerase
Funded at University of California Santa Cruz · NIH-11352552 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project studies how telomeres and the enzyme telomerase maintain chromosome ends and how their problems contribute to cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Santa Cruz NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Santa Cruz, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $385,933 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM153235-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11352552 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to a specific patient group in this grant; the research is basic science with potential long-term relevance to cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient benefit is not the primary aim of this basic-science project.
What this research studies
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz are examining how telomeres protect chromosomes and how telomerase keeps telomeres long, using biochemical and advanced imaging approaches. The work builds on previous findings to create detailed models of how telomerase assembles, moves to telomeres, and influences cell aging and cancer-related processes. By studying conserved mechanisms across organisms, the team aims to clarify how telomere dysfunction drives disease and where interventions could help patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Gaining a clearer understanding of telomere biology could lead to new strategies for cancer prevention and treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has established important models of telomerase function; this project seeks to advance those models further.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stone, Michael D — University of California Santa Cruz
- Study coordinator: Stone, Michael D
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.