Understanding how peroxisomes are built and kept healthy
Official title: Investigating the mechanisms of peroxisome homeostasis
Funded at University of California Santa Barbara · NIH-11358292 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how cells make and maintain peroxisomes, tiny structures that help cells function well, including in bone disease contexts.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Santa Barbara NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Santa Barbara, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $375,679 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM146784-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11358292 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with Peroxisome Biogenesis Disorders or related metabolic/bone health issues could benefit from advances rooted in this work.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without peroxisome-related conditions may not directly benefit from the basic mechanistic focus.
What this research studies
The project uses cell biology and biochemistry to uncover how peroxisomes are formed and maintained, with a focus on human-relevant proteins called Pex1 and Pex6. By studying disease-causing variants, the work aims to reveal how peroxisome problems contribute to health issues such as rare disorders and aging. The findings could point to new ways to protect cells from stress and improve cellular function in patients with related bone and metabolic conditions. This is basic science conducted in human-relevant cells, which lays groundwork for future therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: By clarifying peroxisome biology, this research could inform future strategies to prevent or mitigate diseases linked to peroxisome dysfunction.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work on peroxisome biology has shown that understanding Pex proteins can illuminate disease mechanisms and guide therapy development.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gardner, Brooke Meghan — University of California Santa Barbara
- Study coordinator: Gardner, Brooke Meghan
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.