Understanding how biomolecular condensates behave in living cells
Official title: Understanding the viscoelasticity, surface tension, and membrane interactions of biomolecular condensates in live cells
Funded at Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. · NIH-11404397 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how tiny cell droplets form, behave, and sometimes harden in living cells, which could influence health and disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Piscataway, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $387,368 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM147027-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11404397 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals whose cells or tissues could be studied to understand condensate behavior, including samples from patients with related neurological or autophagy-related conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals or samples not related to condensate biology may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This grant uses a technique similar to patch-clamp to measure the surface tension and viscosity of protein condensates inside live cells, helping us understand how these droplets interact with membranes and other cell components. The work aims to quantify condensate properties in real-time, linking physical behavior to cellular processes like autophagy and vesicle trafficking. By studying different condensates, the project seeks to reveal how changes in their material state may contribute to neurodegenerative disease and other conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Gaining a clearer picture of condensate behavior could lead to new approaches for diagnosing or treating diseases where these structures go awry.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that condensate properties can be measured in cells and linked to cellular functions, supporting potential impact of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
Piscataway, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shi, Zheng — Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
- Study coordinator: Shi, Zheng
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.