Understanding how cells start making proteins and what goes wrong in cancer
Official title: Dynamics of Eukaryotic Ribosomal Scanning
Funded at University of California Riverside · NIH-11368744 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist team will study how cells pick the starting point to make proteins, because errors in this process can contribute to cancer and other diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Riverside NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Riverside, United States) |
| Project start | September 14, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $322,399 |
| NIH project number | 2R01GM138939-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11368744 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with cancers or conditions linked to dysregulated translation who might benefit from future translation-targeted therapies.
✕Less likely to help
This basic science study does not directly test treatments in people and may not benefit healthy individuals.
What this research studies
This project examines how the cell’s protein-building machinery finds the correct starting place on messenger RNA. It focuses on the large ribosome complex that scans the message and how its motion is controlled to prevent faulty proteins. By studying the dynamics of scanning in human-relevant settings, researchers aim to uncover why translation goes awry in cancer and related disorders. The work involves detailed biochemical and biophysical analyses to map the steps and intermediates of start-site selection. The findings could point to new ways to influence protein synthesis in disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could identify targets to correct faulty protein production in cancer and other conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that translation control affects cancer, supporting the potential significance of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Riverside
Riverside, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'leary, Sean E — University of California Riverside
- Study coordinator: O'leary, Sean E
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.