Understanding how cells clean out harmful materials
Cargo-responsive mechanisms in autophagy
This project explores how cells identify and remove harmful materials, a process called autophagy, which is important for understanding diseases like cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dartmouth College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hanover, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11145804 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our cells constantly work to remove toxic or unwanted structures, such as damaged proteins or organelles, through a process called autophagy. While it was previously thought that all these materials were removed in the same way, this project has discovered that different materials can actually trigger autophagy through different pathways. Researchers are using new tools to study these distinct pathways and identify new proteins involved in selecting what gets cleaned out. This deeper understanding of autophagy could lead to new ways to address health challenges, including cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients at this stage, but future studies building on this work may seek individuals with conditions related to cellular waste buildup or cancer.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment options would not directly benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new ways to target and remove harmful cellular components, potentially leading to new treatments for diseases like cancer.
How similar studies have performed: This project explores a novel perspective on autophagy, suggesting that different cellular materials are removed through distinct mechanisms, which challenges previous assumptions.
Where this research is happening
Hanover, United States
- Dartmouth College — Hanover, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shoemaker, Christopher J — Dartmouth College
- Study coordinator: Shoemaker, Christopher J
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.