Understanding how chromosomes attach to cell fibers during cell division to prevent cancer-related problems
Official title: Mechanisms of Kinetochore-Microtubule Attachment and Regulation
Funded at Colorado State University · NIH-11484714 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A cancer-focused project that studies how chromosomes properly attach to cell structures during division, aiming to find weaknesses in cancer cells that could lead to targeted therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Colorado State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Collins, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2019 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $249,548 |
| NIH project number | 3R35GM130365-08S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11484714 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with cancers characterized by kinetochore defects or mitotic instability may benefit from future therapies arising from these findings.
✕Less likely to help
People without cancers involving mitotic errors or kinetochore dysfunction may not directly benefit from this specific mechanistic study.
What this research studies
This project looks at the cell division process to understand why chromosomes sometimes misbehave (aneuploidy) and how this links to birth defects and cancer. Researchers study kinetochores, the structures that connect chromosomes to fiber-like microtubules, and how these connections are regulated by Aurora kinases. They plan experiments in human cells to uncover how attachments form and are controlled, with the goal of identifying cancer-specific vulnerabilities that could be targeted by new therapies. The work combines advanced 3C-based techniques with traditional cell biology to map these processes in detail. By clarifying these mechanisms, the project hopes to reveal new angles for treating cancers driven by mitotic errors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could reveal targets for cancer therapies that exploit mitotic weaknesses in tumor cells.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have demonstrated that targeting mitotic regulators can create cancer cell vulnerabilities, supporting the potential of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Deluca, Jennifer G — Colorado State University
- Study coordinator: Deluca, Jennifer G
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.