Understanding the roles of five-carbon metabolism in health and disease
Official title: Elucidation of the chemical and biological roles of five-carbon metabolism
Funded at University of Tennessee Knoxville · NIH-11021504 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain important substances in our cells help keep us healthy and may be connected to diseases like heart problems and Alzheimer's, so we can learn more about how to support better health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tennessee Knoxville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Knoxville, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $335,578 |
| NIH project number | 1R35GM157211-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11021504 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with conditions related to five-carbon metabolism, such as Alzheimer's disease or cardiovascular diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with unrelated metabolic disorders or those not affected by the conditions studied may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the complex functions of five-carbon metabolism, which is crucial for various biological processes such as maintaining cell membrane integrity, synthesizing glycoproteins, and regulating steroid hormones. The study focuses on two key metabolites, isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP), which are essential for the production of isoprenoids. By developing new chemical and genetic tools, the research aims to better understand how these metabolites influence cellular health and their potential links to diseases like cardiovascular conditions and Alzheimer's disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights and therapeutic strategies for diseases linked to five-carbon metabolism, potentially improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific focus on five-carbon metabolism is relatively novel, similar metabolic pathways have shown promise in other research, indicating potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tennessee Knoxville
Knoxville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Baccile, Joshua a — University of Tennessee Knoxville
- Study coordinator: Baccile, Joshua a
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.