Understanding how cells can enter the cell cycle without traditional signals
Official title: Deciphering the mechanism of non-canonical cell cycle entry
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-10894606 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how cancer cells can start dividing without using the usual methods that are often broken in cancer, and it aims to find new ways to treat different types of cancer by understanding these alternative processes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $345,452 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM145884-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10894606 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with cancers that exhibit mutations in the CDK4/6 pathway or those who have shown resistance to current CDK4/6 inhibitors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers that do not involve cell cycle dysregulation or those who are not eligible for experimental therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms by which cells can enter the cell cycle without relying on the typical cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK4/6) that are often mutated in cancer. By using advanced live-cell sensors and single-cell methodologies, the researchers aim to uncover the alternative pathways that allow for cell cycle entry, which could lead to new insights into cancer development and treatment. The study focuses on understanding the complexities of cell signaling and regulation, particularly in the context of cancer cells that bypass normal controls. This could provide critical information for developing targeted therapies for various cancers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new cancer treatments that target alternative pathways for cell cycle entry, potentially improving outcomes for patients with cancers driven by CDK4/6 mutations.
How similar studies have gone: While the traditional CDK4/6 pathways have been extensively studied, the exploration of non-canonical cell cycle entry mechanisms is relatively novel and has not been widely tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang, Hee Won — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Yang, Hee Won
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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.