Molecular mechanisms of intra- and inter-cellular fatty acid trafficking

NIH RePORTER · NIH · R35 · $116,694 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

ABSTRACT The biological hallmarks of aging have outlined multiple cellular and molecular processes that contribute to aging. The hallmarks of aging include genomic instability; telomere attrition; epigenetic alterations; loss of proteostasis; deregulated nutrient sensing; mitochondrial dysfunction; cellular senescence; stem cell exhaustion; and altered intercellular communication. These processes have been studied primarily in isolation from each other. However, many of these processes span multiple cellular organelles or occur at the intersection between organelles. We will use multispectral imaging to systematically investigate the morphology and dynamics of six organelles simultaneously in live cells, as a method for imaging organelle communication in relation to the hallmarks of aging. The organelles we will image include endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi, lysosomes, mitochondria, peroxisomes, and lipid droplets. In aim 1, we will quantify organelle number, size, shape, speed, contacts with other organelles, and distribution (the “organelle signature”), in multiple cell types at baseline. In aim 2, we will test how organelle morphodynamics change during replicative aging. Together, these studies will identify novel forms of organelle communication impacting the hallmarks of aging.

Key facts

NIH application ID
10587303
Project number
3R35GM133460-04S1
Recipient
UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
Principal Investigator
Sarah Cohen
Activity code
R35
Funding institute
NIH
Fiscal year
2022
Award amount
$116,694
Award type
3
Project period
2019-08-01 → 2024-05-31