Understanding how collagen production affects health and disease
Official title: Collagen Proteostasis in Health and Disease
Funded at Massachusetts Institute of Technology · NIH-10981586 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into how our bodies make collagen, which is important for keeping our tissues healthy, and it aims to find new ways to help people with collagen-related diseases that don’t have good treatments yet.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | September 4, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $680,325 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AR082995-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10981586 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with collagenopathies or related disorders that affect collagen production and function.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to collagen production or those who do not have collagen-related diseases may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the processes involved in collagen production, which is crucial for the structure and function of various tissues in the body. It focuses on how defects in collagen synthesis and quality control can lead to diseases known as collagenopathies, which currently lack effective treatments. By exploring the cellular mechanisms that ensure proper collagen folding and assembly, the research aims to identify new therapeutic strategies that could address the root causes of these diseases rather than just their symptoms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative treatments that directly improve collagen production and function, potentially alleviating symptoms of collagen-related diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in addressing collagen-related issues, but this approach focuses specifically on upstream processes, making it a novel investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shoulders, Matthew Donald — Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Shoulders, Matthew Donald
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.