Understanding how RNA-protein condensates work in living cells and what goes wrong in cancer
Official title: Elucidating the function of ribonucleoprotein condensates in living cells
Funded at University of Massachusetts Amherst · NIH-11383574 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist at a university will study tiny RNA-protein assemblies inside living cells to learn how they form, stay intact, and contribute to cancer and other diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Amherst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hadley, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $431,352 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM160207-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11383574 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable for this grant since it is basic science research; patient-facing outcomes would depend on future translational steps.
✕Less likely to help
Immediate benefit for patients is unlikely; findings may inform later cancer therapies rather than provide direct clinical results now.
What this research studies
This project explores ribonucleoprotein (RNP) condensates, which are RNA-protein complexes that regulate essential cell functions and may become abnormal in cancer. The team will develop and apply new methods to track RNA dynamics and identify the proteins bound to RNA motifs within these condensates in living cells. By focusing on how condensates form, disassemble, and are regulated, the research aims to link these processes to disease pathways and cellular dysfunction. The work combines innovative technique development with experiments in a living cell system to uncover mechanistic insights that could inform future therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could reveal targets to modulate RNP condensates in cancer, potentially guiding new treatment strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown that RNP condensates are linked to cellular function and disease, with promising mechanistic insights from advanced tracking methods.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Hadley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wu, Jiahui — University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Study coordinator: Wu, Jiahui
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.