Understanding how chromosomes are accurately divided during cell division
Official title: Mechanisms underlying chromosome segregation
Funded at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center · NIH-10933391 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how cells make sure their chromosomes are divided correctly during cell division, using yeast to learn more about the tiny structures that help with this process, and the goal is to better understand issues like cancer and birth defects that can happen when things go wrong.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $352,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM149357-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10933391 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of cancers or congenital abnormalities related to chromosomal defects.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to chromosome segregation or those who do not have a genetic predisposition to aneuploidy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms that ensure accurate chromosome segregation during cell division, which is crucial for the development of all organisms. It focuses on understanding how kinetochores, the structures that attach chromosomes to spindle fibers, are assembled and how they function to maintain proper chromosome distribution. By using budding yeast as a model organism, the research employs biochemical and genetic techniques to explore these fundamental processes. The findings aim to shed light on the causes of aneuploidy, which is linked to various cancers and birth defects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing cancers and congenital abnormalities associated with chromosome segregation errors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding chromosome segregation mechanisms, indicating that this approach is built on established scientific foundations.
Where this research is happening
-
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Biggins, Susan — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Biggins, Susan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
How brain glia prune neuron fragments in a worm model
Researchers study how brain support cells called glia remove pieces of living neurons in a tiny worm to learn about brain aging and diseases like Alzheimer's.
-
Understanding and Targeting Lineage Plasticity in Prostate Cancer with Genomic-Based Neoadjuvant Therapy
A broad research program at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is exploring how aggressive prostate cancers change their cell states in response to therapy and how to block these changes.
-
Personalized cancer drug testing on patient tumor cells
Aiming to test many FDA-approved cancer drugs on a patient’s own tumor cells to identify effective options when standard therapies fail.
-
MOSAAIC: Using health records to track heart disease in Asian American Communities
A big, dedicated effort is testing whether electronic health records can more quickly and accurately track heart and blood vessel problems in Asian American populations.
-
Targeting gut microbes to prevent progression to multiple myeloma
Researchers are testing how specific gut bacteria might trigger immune changes linked to early blood cancer stages and whether targeting these microbes could help prevent progression to multiple myeloma.
-
eDyNAmiC: Understanding extrachromosomal DNA in cancer and how it drives aggressiveness
A cancer research project at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is studying abnormal circular DNA pieces (ecDNA) that help cancers grow and resist treatment, with the aim of finding ways to help patients.
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.