Why cell division breaks down in triple-negative breast cancer
Robust-to-fragile transitions of a phase-separated mitotic organelle in triple-negative breast cancer
This project looks at how a key cell-division machinery fails in triple-negative breast cancer, using tumor samples and lab models to track what goes wrong.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11172288 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study the chromosome passenger complex (CPC), a group of proteins that helps chromosomes attach correctly during cell division, to see how it forms liquid-like droplets and why that process can fail in triple-negative breast cancer. They will examine tumor tissue from patients alongside experiments in lab-grown cancer cells and model systems to measure protein levels, visualize CPC localization, and perturb regulators using genetic and chemical tools. The team will map how imbalances in many network regulators push the CPC from a robust to a fragile state that allows chromosome errors to persist. The work aims to pinpoint molecular nodes that could be targeted to reduce chromosome instability in tumors.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with triple-negative breast cancer or those willing to donate tumor tissue or clinical samples for research would be most relevant for participation or sample donation.
Not a fit: Patients with other types of breast cancer or individuals unwilling to provide tissue samples are unlikely to be directly involved or benefit from this grant.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could identify new molecular targets to reduce chromosome instability in triple-negative breast cancer and guide future treatment strategies.
How similar studies have performed: This work builds on recent lab discoveries that the CPC can phase-separate, so the approach is relatively novel but grounded in promising earlier experimental findings.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stukenberg, P. Todd — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Stukenberg, P. Todd
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.