# Development and function in mucociliary epithelia

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN · 2024 · $389,523

## Abstract

Abstract:
The mucociliary epithelium plays a key role in both normal and pathological airway biology, as it provides the
first line of defense against inhaled agents. Defects in ciliary beating in multiciliated cells (MCCs) in the airway
contribute to the progression of both genetic and acquired airway diseases.
Here, we will study the molecular mechanisms controlling development and function of MCCs. The motor
proteins that drive ciliary beating are assembled in the cytoplasm, and under the previous version of this
award, we discovered a novel organelle in which these motors are concentrated with various factors that direct
their assembly. The first Aim of this project will explore the hierarchy of interaction among proteins in these
novel organelles; the second will explore the mechanisms by which motors are transported into cilia, and the
third will use large-sale proteomic approaches to identify novel protein-protein interactions important for motor
assembly and function. By rapidly determining the functions of several new protein involved in distinct
processes in MCC development, the Aims in this proposal will provide critical new depth to our understanding
of these essential cell. Moreover, by linking these the disparate processes in MCCs, the experiments here will
add crucial new breadth to our understanding as well.
Impact: Experiments proposed here will lead to a more detailed understanding of the cell biology and genetics
of MCCs and ciliary beating. The results will aid in the development of regenerative therapies aimed at
repairing or restoring damaged tissue and improving mucus clearance in patients with airway disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10863908
- **Project number:** 5R01HL117164-10
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
- **Principal Investigator:** John B Wallingford
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $389,523
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2013-08-15 → 2027-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10863908

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10863908, Development and function in mucociliary epithelia (5R01HL117164-10). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10863908. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*