Understanding how cells manage their internal parts to control growth and metabolism
The design principles of the eukaryotic cell: uncovering the coordination of systems-level organelle dynamics, metabolism and growth
This project aims to uncover the fundamental rules that govern how the tiny parts inside our cells work together to manage growth and energy, which is important for understanding diseases like cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11160513 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our cells are made up of many tiny compartments called organelles, each with a specific job. We want to learn how cells coordinate these organelles to control their size, number, and location, and how this coordination affects the cell's overall growth and metabolism. We will use advanced imaging and genetic tools to observe these processes, building mathematical models to understand how cells make these decisions. This foundational knowledge is crucial for understanding what goes wrong in diseases where cell growth is uncontrolled, such as cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational laboratory research does not involve direct patient participation, but the insights gained could eventually benefit patients with conditions related to cell growth and metabolism, such as cancers.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate new treatments or clinical trial opportunities would not directly benefit from this basic science research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could provide a deeper understanding of fundamental cell processes, potentially leading to new ways to approach diseases like cancer by targeting how cells manage their internal components.
How similar studies have performed: This project addresses a grand challenge in cell biology by seeking to discover quantitative principles, suggesting a novel approach to understanding complex cellular coordination.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mukherji, Arindam Shankar — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Mukherji, Arindam Shankar
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.