# Spatiotemporal regulation of branched actin in cells

> **NIH NIH F32** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2020 · $25,527

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The regulation of the actin cytoskeleton facilitates changes in cell shape and directed motility and is
essential for processes such as embryogenesis, wound healing, and cancer invasiveness. A
thorough understanding of the control of cell shape will require a more comprehensive
characterization of how the cellular actin architecture is dynamically regulated in both normal and
pathological contexts, which in turn will inform therapeutic strategies that target actin dynamics. The
highly conserved Arp2/3 complex plays an essential role in nucleating networks of branched actin
filaments that govern an array of cellular behaviors. Using highly tractable cell lines derived from an
Arpc2 conditional knockout mouse, we are poised to use innovative experimental approaches
alongside established techniques to elucidate novel aspects of Arp2/3 and branched actin regulation.
These efforts will provide a more comprehensive view of the control of cellular behavior, both in terms
of depth, with focus on spatiotemporal dynamics of actin structure and regulators, as well as breadth,
by identifying novel actin regulators and cell signaling feedback mechanisms.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9918760
- **Project number:** 5F32GM131578-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** MItchell T Butler
- **Activity code:** F32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $25,527
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-04-01 → 2020-08-12

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9918760

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9918760, Spatiotemporal regulation of branched actin in cells (5F32GM131578-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9918760. Licensed CC0.

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