Understanding how cell identity affects cell cycle timing
Official title: Lineage-Specific Mechanisms of Cell Cycle Timing Control
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10916557 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the identity of cells affects their growth timing using tiny worms, and it hopes to find helpful information that could lead to better treatments for conditions like cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $360,743 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM151199-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10916557 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions related to cell cycle regulation or developmental disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to cell cycle timing or those not affected by developmental processes may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between cell identity and the timing of the cell cycle using the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. By employing advanced techniques like 3D timelapse microscopy and spatial transcriptomics, the study aims to uncover how the fate of a cell can influence its cycle duration and vice versa. This approach allows for a detailed examination of genetic programs that regulate cell fate and cell cycle control, which are crucial for understanding development and diseases like cancer. Patients may benefit from insights gained into how cell behavior can be manipulated for therapeutic purposes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for treating proliferative disorders, including various cancers.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in using model organisms like C. elegans to study cell cycle and fate, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shah, Pavak Kirit — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Shah, Pavak Kirit
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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.