Understanding a Key Protein for Cell Energy
Structures of intermediates in cytochrome c oxidase
This project looks closely at a protein called cytochrome c oxidase, which is essential for making energy in our cells, to understand how it works and how it's controlled.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albert Einstein College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bronx, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11124842 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies rely on tiny powerhouses in our cells called mitochondria to create energy. A crucial protein, cytochrome c oxidase (CcO), helps convert oxygen into water and generate the energy currency of our cells, called ATP. We want to see the exact 3D shapes of this protein at different stages of its work and when it interacts with important cell signals like hormones. By using advanced imaging techniques, we hope to uncover how CcO functions and how its activity is regulated. This deeper understanding is vital because problems with CcO are linked to various diseases.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve patients, but future studies building on this knowledge may seek individuals with mitochondrial diseases or conditions related to cellular energy production.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct clinical intervention will not find direct benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could provide fundamental insights into how our cells produce energy, which is crucial for developing new treatments for diseases linked to energy production problems.
How similar studies have performed: While the overall function of cytochrome c oxidase is known, the precise 3D structural details of its intermediate steps and interactions with cellular regulators are still largely unknown, making this a novel approach to fill critical knowledge gaps.
Where this research is happening
Bronx, United States
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine — Bronx, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rousseau, Denis L. — Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Rousseau, Denis L.
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.