Understanding how MCM8/9 helps fix DNA replication when it stalls in cancer
Official title: MCM8/9 unwinding activation, specificity, and stalled fork remodeling
Funded at Baylor University · NIH-11428121 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in cancer biology scientists are exploring how the MCM8/9 proteins help protect and repair DNA during cell division, which could reveal new ways to combat cancer and aging.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Waco, United States) |
| Project start | July 13, 2026 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $315,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R01GM165898-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11428121 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
No direct patient participation is described in the grant; human relevance lies in potential future translation to cancer patients and individuals with replication-stress–related conditions.
✕Less likely to help
The grant description does not currently involve participants; any direct patient benefit would come from future translational work.
What this research studies
This project looks at how cells keep DNA copying correctly when the replication process faces stress. By studying MCM8/9 and its interactions, researchers aim to map how these proteins stabilize stalled replication forks and link to cancer and aging. The work uses genetic models and cellular experiments to understand the specific roles of MCM8/9 compared with other helicases. Insights could point toward new targets for therapies in cancers associated with replication stress.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to new approaches to prevent or treat cancers linked to replication stress and improve understanding of aging-related genomic instability.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that MCM8/9 mutations are linked to genomic instability, with ongoing work building on this foundation.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor University
Waco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Trakselis, Michael a — Baylor University
- Study coordinator: Trakselis, Michael a
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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.