The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) awarded a $415,000 Project Grant under the Biomedical Research and Research Training program (CFDA 93.859) to the University of Southern California (USC) Department of Contracts and Grants. The grant, effective July 1, 2024 through April 30, 2029, will support the development of a high-throughput, generalizable quantitative structural cell biology platform to study the cellular mechanisms that regulate secretory granule maturation, packaging, and secretion. The research will leverage advanced imaging techniques like soft X-ray tomography and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy to map cell organization, quantify molecular packing of secretory granules, and monitor granule pH changes during maturation. The project aims to uncover new insights into how signaling pathways and organelle interactions influence secretory efficiency, with the goal of identifying drug targets to improve secretory function during diseases affecting mental health and metabolism.
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