Project Grant R01GM164296

Grant Award Summary

Yale University received a $605,140 Project Grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) under the Biomedical Research and Research Training program (CFDA 93.859), awarded June 1, 2026, with completion targeted for March 31, 2030. The grant supports fundamental research to elucidate cellular and molecular mechanisms of lipid-mediated protein trafficking through the mammalian Golgi complex, a critical organelle responsible for protein sorting, post-translational modification, and intracellular cargo trafficking. Understanding these mechanisms addresses a longstanding gap in cell biology, as dysregulation of Golgi structure and function is associated with cancer and neuropathology.

The research deliverables encompass two primary aims: characterization of the Golgi trafficking pathway machinery at the cellular level (Aim 1) and elucidation of mechanistic function (Aim 2). The investigation focuses on palmitoylation-dependent protein sorting and the role of specific regulatory components, including TUG/ASPCR1 and associated tether and SNARE fusion machinery. The project will examine trafficking of physiologically relevant cargo such as glucose transporters and G protein-coupled receptors. Outcomes are expected to provide foundational insights into mammalian cellular biology while generating knowledge applicable to cancer and neurodegenerative disease research.