Understanding How Cells Get Nutrients in Autoimmune Diseases and Cancer
Substrate Specificity Determinants in Nutrient Solute Carrier Transporters
This work explores how cells in conditions like autoimmune diseases and cancer take in nutrients, aiming to find new ways to control their growth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11123267 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies' cells need nutrients to grow, but in diseases like cancer and autoimmune conditions, cells can change how they take in these nutrients, often relying more on specific amino acids. This project looks closely at special 'transporter' proteins that act like gates, letting nutrients into cells. By understanding how these gates work and what controls them, we hope to discover new strategies to manage cell growth in these diseases. We use advanced computer models and laboratory tests with disease-related cells to learn more about these important transporters.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is relevant for patients living with autoimmune diseases, cancer, or heart ischemia, as it seeks to understand the underlying cellular processes that drive these conditions.
Not a fit: Patients without conditions related to altered cell metabolism, such as autoimmune diseases or cancer, would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to the development of new medicines that target these nutrient transporters, offering novel treatment options for autoimmune diseases and cancer.
How similar studies have performed: One of the transporters being studied, ASCT2, is already recognized as a promising target for drug development in various diseases, suggesting prior success in this area.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schlessinger, Avner — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Schlessinger, Avner
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.