NIH-funded research Career grant

Understanding how DCAF7 affects blood stem cells

Official title: Elucidating the role of DCAF7 on hematopoietic stem cell maintenance

Funded at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · NIH-10928213 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at a protein called DCAF7 to see how it helps keep blood-making stem cells healthy, which is important for people with bone marrow issues or certain cancers, and it hopes to find new ways to improve treatments for these blood-related conditions.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Memphis, United States)
Project startSeptember 15, 2023
Project endJuly 31, 2028
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$134,549
NIH project number5K01DK138265-02
Project IDNIH-10928213 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with blood disorders or those at risk of bone marrow failure, particularly those under 21 years of age.

Less likely to help

Patients with non-blood-related conditions or those over 21 years old may not receive direct benefits from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the role of a protein called DCAF7 in maintaining hematopoietic stem cells, which are crucial for producing blood cells. The study aims to uncover how changes in DCAF7 influence the function of these stem cells, particularly in relation to conditions like bone marrow failure and certain cancers. By examining the molecular mechanisms involved, the research seeks to identify potential new targets for drug development that could improve treatments for blood-related diseases.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies for patients with blood disorders by targeting the mechanisms that regulate blood stem cell function.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that targeting ubiquitin ligases can be effective in treating various blood disorders, suggesting that this approach may yield promising results.

Where this research is happening

  • St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
    Memphis, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Melo-Cardenas, Johanna — St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
  • Study coordinator: Melo-Cardenas, Johanna

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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.