# Role of Nucleolus and Ribosome Biogenesis in Coordinating Organism-wide Growth

> **NIH NIH R35** · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN · 2024 · $389,068

## Abstract

The overarching mission of my research program is to elucidate how the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) locus and
ribosome biogenesis connect to cellular processes to coordinate complex growth modes during organismal
development. The overall objectives of the current proposal are: (1) identification of cell non-autonomous factors
that provide a ribosome synthesis checkpoint to control organism-wide growth and (2) investigation of the
epigenetic function of nucleolus during organism development. First, we will identify regulators of cell non-
autonomous growth arrest in C. elegans by intensive forward genetic screens in strains that produce both wild-
type and homozygous ribosomal protein & rDNA null cells in precise lineages. To understand tissue specific
contributions to organism-wide growth, we will optimize a system that will reversibly block new ribosome
synthesis in a tissue and stage-specific way. Second, we will take advantage of viable C. elegans embryos that
lack multi-copy rDNA locus (hence the nucleolus structure) to investigate the fundamental roles of nucleolus in
genome organization and gene expression. We will identify and validate nucleolus associated domains. We will
then identify the global impact of nucleolus on chromosome architecture, genome organization and gene
expression. This study will (1) shed light onto the cell non-autonomous pathways that regulate organism-wide
growth coordination and (2) will identify the epigenetic roles of the nucleolus that are distinct from its essential
ribosome biogenesis function.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10868436
- **Project number:** 5R35GM138340-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
- **Principal Investigator:** Elif Sarinay Cenik
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $389,068
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-07-01 → 2026-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10868436

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10868436, Role of Nucleolus and Ribosome Biogenesis in Coordinating Organism-wide Growth (5R35GM138340-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10868436. Licensed CC0.

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