Understanding how cells manage protein birth and breakdown to stay healthy
Official title: Mechanistic dissection of eukaryotic protein biogenesis and degradation pathways
Funded at Harvard University · NIH-11392937 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Scientists are studying how cells correctly build and dispose of proteins to prevent disease, using yeast and human cells to explore new helper systems and autophagy pathways.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2018 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $575,852 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM127136-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11392937 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not a patient-facing trial; findings may inform future studies on diseases linked to protein homeostasis.
✕Less likely to help
This grant does not enroll patients or provide a direct intervention for participants.
What this research studies
This project investigates how a novel chaperone system called eFOLD helps make a key protein (eEF1A) correctly, and how the cell clears damaged parts through selective autophagy. By comparing yeast and human cells, researchers aim to uncover shared and species-specific steps in protein biogenesis and degradation. The work looks at signals that identify which proteins or organelles should be kept or removed, and how stress from heat or nutrient shortage affects these processes. The findings could reveal fundamental mechanisms of protein homeostasis that relate to health and disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Gaining insight into proteostasis could inform future therapies for conditions where protein misfolding and degradation are implicated.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in proteostasis and autophagy has shown conserved mechanisms across species, supporting the potential value of this research.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard University
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Denic, Vladimir — Harvard University
- Study coordinator: Denic, Vladimir
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.