NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Understanding how cellular quality control networks keep our cells healthy

Official title: Decipher the Organization of a Multilayered Cellular Quality Control Network

Funded at Southern Methodist University · NIH-11328821 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This NIH grant explores how the body's cellular quality control systems work together to prevent disease at the molecular level.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSouthern Methodist University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Dallas, United States)
Project startAugust 1, 2023
Project endMay 31, 2028
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$361,222
NIH project number5R35GM150190-04
Project IDNIH-11328821 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Patients whose diseases involve protein misfolding, damaged organelles, or cellular stress may benefit from future therapies informed by this work.

Less likely to help

There is no immediate patient treatment from this grant, but findings may influence future therapies.

What this research studies

The project aims to uncover how different cellular quality control pathways interact when cells face stress and how defects in these networks contribute to human diseases. Researchers will study these pathways in human-relevant contexts to map their cooperation and identify points where intervention could help. The work will build a broader picture of how impaired quality control leads to disease, with potential implications for future therapies. The study focuses on complex cellular processes, with goals that could eventually translate into better diagnosis or treatment strategies for patients.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: A deeper understanding of cellular quality control could guide new approaches to treating diseases linked to protein and organelle damage.

How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests multiple quality control pathways interact, supporting the potential for meaningful advances, though the specifics remain to be clarified.

Where this research is happening

  • Southern Methodist University
    Dallas, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Wu, Zhihao — Southern Methodist University
  • Study coordinator: Wu, Zhihao

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.