Unlocking the Secrets of How Cells Sense Physical Pressure
Structural Mechanism for Gating of Mechanosensitive Channels
This project explores how tiny channels in bacteria and fungi sense pressure, hoping to find new ways to fight infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11117057 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies rely on cells sensing physical forces for essential functions like hearing and touch, and problems with this sensing are linked to diseases such as deafness, heart disease, and cancer. This project focuses on understanding how special channels in bacteria and fungi, called MscS, respond to pressure changes. Since these MscS channels are not found in human cells, learning how they work could help us develop new medicines to specifically target and treat bacterial and fungal infections. Researchers are using advanced methods to study the detailed structure and function of these channels to uncover their secrets.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with bacterial or fungal infections might eventually benefit from new antimicrobial drugs developed from this research.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are not related to bacterial or fungal infections or the specific mechanisms of mechanosensitive channels may not directly benefit from this particular research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new antimicrobial treatments for bacterial and fungal infections.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has identified mechanosensitive channels, but this project aims to provide a more detailed understanding of their complex mechanisms using new techniques.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yuan, Peng — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Yuan, Peng
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.