Understanding how centromeres affect chromosome splitting in cancer
Official title: Deciphering genome integrity maintenance using cytogenomics
Funded at Stowers Institute for Medical Research · NIH-11379146 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project looks at how centromere DNA and its surroundings influence chromosome separation during cell division, which can go awry in cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stowers Institute for Medical Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $125,619 |
| NIH project number | 5R50CA305001-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11379146 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with cancers characterized by genomic instability or aneuploidy who might benefit from future targeted therapies.
✕Less likely to help
People without cancers involving chromosome missegregation or those not represented by centromere-focused studies may not see direct benefit.
What this research studies
The project aims to uncover why chromosomes sometimes missegregate by studying centromere DNA, its structure, and epigenetic marks. Researchers will examine how natural differences in centromeres between people affect the accuracy of chromosome partitioning during cell division. The work uses human cell systems and genome assemblies to link centromere variation to genomic instability seen in cancer. Findings could reveal new angles for preventing cancer evolution tied to chromosome missegregation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: New insights into why cancer cells become genomically unstable could lead to better strategies to prevent cancer progression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has linked centromere biology to chromosome missegregation, with ongoing work showing the relevance of centromere variation to genome stability.
Where this research is happening
-
Stowers Institute for Medical Research
Kansas City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Potapova, Tamara a — Stowers Institute for Medical Research
- Study coordinator: Potapova, Tamara a
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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.