Understanding how cells manage proteins to fight diseases
Dissecting the roles of ubiquitin in translation control
This research explores how our cells handle stress by adjusting protein production, which could help us better understand and treat conditions like neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11089626 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our cells constantly manage the proteins they make, especially when under stress, and problems with this process can lead to serious health issues like neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and aging. This project aims to uncover new ways cells control protein creation and breakdown using a process called ubiquitination. By studying these fundamental cellular mechanisms, we hope to find new strategies to promote healthier lives and combat various diseases. The team is specifically looking at how ubiquitin modifications affect ribosomes, the cell's protein-making machinery, particularly in response to stress.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not recruiting patients directly but aims to benefit future patients with neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, or age-related conditions by uncovering basic disease mechanisms.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct clinical intervention would not benefit from this basic science research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could provide new insights into fundamental cellular processes, potentially leading to new ways to prevent or treat neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and age-related conditions.
How similar studies have performed: This research builds upon the lab's prior discovery of a new pathway in yeast, suggesting a novel approach to understanding protein regulation under stress.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Silva, Gustavo M — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Silva, Gustavo M
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.