Understanding How Cells Clean Themselves to Fight Diseases like Cancer
Dissecting the Molecular Mechanisms of Selective Autophagy
This research explores how our cells clean out damaged parts, a process called autophagy, which is important for understanding and fighting 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-11136894 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our cells have a natural 'cleanup crew' called autophagy that removes damaged components and waste. When this cleanup process doesn't work correctly, it can contribute to serious health problems, including cancer. This project aims to understand the specific ways cells identify and remove damaged parts, focusing on how certain signals on these parts trigger the cleanup. By studying these fundamental processes, we hope to uncover new ways to address diseases where cell cleanup goes wrong.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve patient participation at this stage.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical treatments would not directly benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Successfully understanding these cleanup mechanisms could open doors for developing new treatments that target cell processes involved in diseases like cancer.
How similar studies have performed: While the general process of autophagy is well-established, this project delves into specific, less understood mechanisms of selective autophagy.
Where this research is happening
Hanover, United States
- Dartmouth College — Hanover, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ragusa, Michael Joseph — Dartmouth College
- Study coordinator: Ragusa, Michael Joseph
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.