Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) awarded the University of Arizona a $1.39M Project Grant under the Biomedical Research and Research Training program (CFDA 93.859) effective June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2030. This research initiative will deliver fundamental scientific research aimed at identifying and modulating cellular pathways that govern quiescence deepening and transition to senescence—two distinct dormancy states critical to tissue homeostasis, regeneration, and aging. The project will generate transcriptomic and epigenetic pathway data through advanced single-cell multiomics profiling, computational modeling, and experimental validation to elucidate how the RB-E2F bistable switch controls quiescence depth and senescence transition mechanisms.

The research will produce two primary research outcomes: (1) identification of single-cell transcriptomic and epigenetic pathways controlling quiescence depth by modulating the RB-E2F switch and its effectors, and (2) determination of molecular mechanisms underlying the quiescence-to-senescence transition through comparative analysis of transcriptomic and epigenetic differences between bifurcated quiescent and senescent cells. The findings are intended to establish foundational knowledge for developing therapeutic strategies to manipulate cellular dormancy states for treating diseases linked to disrupted dormancy-proliferation balance, supporting NIGMS's mission to advance basic biomedical research that enhances understanding of biological processes.