Understanding how mitochondria stay healthy in brain cells
Official title: Homeostatic Mechanisms Regulating Mitochondrial Health
Funded at California Institute of Technology · NIH-11361108 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A project at Caltech studies how mitochondria in brain-supporting cells keep their power plants balanced and healthy, which could help prevent neuron damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | California Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pasadena, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2018 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $710,120 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM127147-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11361108 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals affected by conditions where brain cell power and health are compromised, particularly those with neurodegenerative or mitochondrial-related issues.
✕Less likely to help
People without mitochondrial-related brain conditions may not directly benefit from this basic science study.
What this research studies
This grant investigates three key ways mitochondria maintain health: their fusion and fission balance, the selective removal of faulty mitochondria (mitophagy), and the creation of new mitochondria (biogenesis). Researchers will use mouse models and cellular experiments to map how these processes interact in brain cells like astrocytes. By focusing on calcium handling, apoptosis pathways, and related signaling, the work aims to reveal what goes wrong in disease and how to fix it. The findings could identify new targets for therapies that protect brain cells from degeneration.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new strategies to preserve brain cell health and slow or prevent neurodegenerative damage.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that balancing mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy is important for cell health, supporting potential relevance to human disease.
Where this research is happening
-
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chan, David C — California Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Chan, David C
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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.