Unraveling how Ribosome Production Is Regulated in Human Cells
Official title: Unraveling the Complexity of RNA Polymerase I Biogenesis and Transcription Regulation.
Funded at Upstate Medical University · NIH-11582856 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how the enzyme that makes ribosomal RNA is put together and controlled, with potential connections to cancer and Treacher Collins Syndrome.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Upstate Medical University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Syracuse, United States) |
| Project start | May 22, 2026 |
| Project end | January 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $448,250 |
| NIH project number | 7R35GM161910-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11582856 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals affected by cancers or ribosomopathies such as Treacher Collins Syndrome who may benefit from future therapies targeting ribosome production pathways.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without diseases related to ribosome production or without access to future targeted therapies may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how the RNA polymerase I complex assembles, how it uses liquid-like phase separation to control activity, and how the Upstream Activating Factor shapes chromatin to drive rRNA production while keeping other genes quiet. The work uses multiple organisms and modern genomic tools to map these processes and identify regulatory steps that could be targeted therapeutically. By understanding these fundamental mechanisms, scientists hope to uncover new angles for treating diseases linked to ribosome biology.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of ribosome production could lead to new approaches for cancer and ribosomopathies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that ribosome biology is linked to disease, and this project aims to extend those findings to new regulatory mechanisms with potential clinical implications.
Where this research is happening
-
Upstate Medical University
Syracuse, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Knutson, Bruce Alan — Upstate Medical University
- Study coordinator: Knutson, Bruce Alan
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.