Award
National Institute of General Medical Sciences 5R16GM158720-02
Bioluminescent FAK Sensor and Genome-Wide CRISPR Knockout Screen to Identify Regulators of Cellular Adhesion
Recipient
Central Michigan University
Award Amount
$144,767.00
Ceiling
$144,767.00
Awarded
June 09, 2026
Identifier
5R16GM158720-02
The award funds a project at Central Michigan University to develop a bioluminescent sensor for FAK and use genome-wide CRISPR knockout screening to identify regulators of cellular adhesion, aiming to advance understanding and treatment of diseases involving cell motility.
Description
This project leverages a combination of bioluminescence-controlled transcription and robust genome-wide CRISPR screening to map the regulation of Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) activity and elucidate the complex genetic networks governing cellular adhesion and locomotion. It aims to develop a bioluminescent kinase sensor, BlinKS, for FAK to provide real-time insights into kinase activity within living cells and identify novel genes regulating FAK signaling pathways, potentially leading to new molecular targets for therapies in diseases like cancer metastasis and wound healing.