Understanding how glycophagy shapes cellular metabolism in disease
Official title: Defining the mechanisms of the glycophagy shunt and its role in metabolism
Funded at Lsu Pennington Biomedical Research Ctr · NIH-11401891 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how a cell’s recycling process of glycogen (glycophagy) affects metabolism in diseases like cancer, heart, and brain disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lsu Pennington Biomedical Research Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baton Rouge, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $375,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM154665-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11401891 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to direct patient participation at this stage; results may inform future patient-facing therapies.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient benefit during the current basic science phase.
What this research studies
Researchers will use specially engineered cells and mouse models to map how glycophagy contributes to the glycogen shunt and overall cell metabolism. They plan to develop new tools and methods to measure and manipulate glycophagy in living systems. The outcomes could reveal new targets to treat metabolic aspects of cancer, cardiac disease, and neurological conditions. This work focuses on fundamental biology with an eye toward future clinical applications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Gaining a deeper understanding of glycophagy could uncover new approaches to treat metabolic aspects of cancer, heart disease, and brain disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown glycophagy plays a role in metabolism, but the specific contribution to the glycogen shunt is still being defined.
Where this research is happening
-
Lsu Pennington Biomedical Research Ctr
Baton Rouge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Heden, Timothy D. — Lsu Pennington Biomedical Research Ctr
- Study coordinator: Heden, Timothy D.
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.