Understanding how Wnt signaling works in diseases like cancer and heart disease
Official title: Elucidating the Molecular Basis of LRP5/6-mediated canonical Wnt signaling
Funded at Thomas Jefferson University · NIH-11425535 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research team will study how two proteins (LRP5/6) control a key cell communication pathway that affects cancer and heart-related conditions, with the goal of finding new ways to influence this pathway in patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Thomas Jefferson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $419,762 |
| NIH project number | 1R35GM165475-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11425535 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with cancers or cardiovascular diseases may benefit from future therapies derived from this work; the study itself uses laboratory models, not directly enrolling patients.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals or those not affected by Wnt-related diseases are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
What this research studies
This project aims to uncover how LRP5 and LRP6 receptors change shape and activity to control the Wnt signaling pathway, which is important in cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Using advanced imaging and biochemical techniques, the team will map the structural states of these receptors and how they respond to different signals. They will also test how cellular factors like pH and chemical modifications affect receptor behavior in cell models. The findings could reveal targets for therapies that precisely modulate Wnt signaling to support tissue regeneration or treat disease. The work ties basic science to potential future treatments by linking receptor structure to disease-related mutations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could identify targets to precisely modulate Wnt signaling, potentially leading to new therapies for cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has connected Wnt signaling to disease and structural studies have informed targeted strategies, supporting the potential for meaningful advances.
Where this research is happening
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Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ruan, Zheng — Thomas Jefferson University
- Study coordinator: Ruan, Zheng
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.