Understanding how cells manage energy in diseases like cancer
The functional role of mTORC1 regulation by AMPK in cellular metabolic reprogramming
This work explores how cells control their energy use, which is important for understanding and treating conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and neurological diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11145944 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies rely on cells to manage their energy properly, and when this balance is lost, it can lead to serious health problems. This project focuses on a key cellular switch called AMPK, which helps cells adapt when energy is low. We want to understand how AMPK works with another pathway, mTORC1, to reprogram how cells use energy. By clarifying these fundamental processes, we hope to uncover new ways to address diseases where cellular energy control goes awry.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve patient participation at this stage, but future clinical applications could benefit patients with various cancers, diabetes, or neurological conditions.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical trials or direct therapeutic interventions would not find direct benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this basic understanding could lead to new strategies for developing treatments for cancers, diabetes, and neurological diseases by targeting cellular energy pathways.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific interactions of AMPK and mTORC1 in metabolic reprogramming are still being clarified, the broader fields of cellular metabolism and kinase signaling have yielded many successful therapeutic targets.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Baylor College of Medicine — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Van Nostrand, Jeanine L — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Van Nostrand, Jeanine L
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.