Award
NIH Reporter #5R35GM150961-04
Basis and Function of Lateral Assembly of Cadherin Molecules in Adhesive Junctions of Humans and Model Organisms
Recipient
Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
Award Amount
$385,000.00
Ceiling
$385,000.00
Awarded
July 14, 2026
Identifier
5R35GM150961-04
The award funds research on the molecular assembly of cadherin molecules in adhesive junctions, aiming to understand their structure and function in normal and disease states using advanced imaging and model organisms.
Description
This project investigates the molecular mechanism of how cadherin proteins assemble into intricate and highly ordered structures at cell-cell junctions and how these structures may be altered in disease. The research uses structural, biophysical, and functional methods including direct visualization in cells and native tissues. The study aims to define a new level of junctional organization and understand the functional effects of cadherin molecular properties on tissue morphogenesis and architecture.