Understanding How Tiny Cell Motors Work
Structure and function of nonmuscle myosins
This research helps us understand how tiny motors inside our cells work, which is important because problems with these motors are linked to many serious health conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11112515 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our cells rely on tiny motors, called nonmuscle myosin-2 (NM2), to perform essential tasks like moving, dividing, and responding to their surroundings. When these motors don't work correctly, it can lead to a variety of diseases, including blood disorders, heart conditions, neurological problems, and even cancer. This project aims to uncover the detailed structure and function of these NM2 motors. By understanding exactly how they generate force and are controlled, we can pave the way for new treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with blood disorders, neurological conditions, heart diseases, deafness, nephritis, or cancers linked to cellular motor dysfunction may eventually benefit from this research.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are not related to the function of nonmuscle myosin-2 motors would likely not see direct benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this foundational knowledge could lead to the development of new therapies for a wide range of diseases caused by faulty cellular motors.
How similar studies have performed: This foundational research addresses a current gap in basic knowledge, which is a bottleneck for developing new therapies for conditions related to cellular motor dysfunction.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- Ohio State University — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chinthalapudi, Krishna — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Chinthalapudi, Krishna
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 below.