Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center received a $456,500 Project Grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) under the Biomedical Research and Research Training program (CFDA 93.859), effective April 1, 2026 through January 31, 2031. This award funds research focused on elucidating the structure and transport mechanisms of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) complex, a critical protein responsible for transporting pyruvate into mitochondria to fuel cellular energy production. The research utilizes cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to characterize MPC protein structures and identify mechanisms underlying pyruvate transport, inhibition, and regulation. This foundational research aims to develop targeted therapeutic interventions for diseases associated with MPC dysfunction, including cancer, type 2 diabetes, and neurodegenerative conditions.

The project represents investigator-initiated basic biomedical research consistent with NIGMS's mission to support fundamental scientific discoveries that advance understanding of human health and disease. As a Project Grant mechanism, the award supports discrete research activities conducted at UT Southwestern's Dallas, Texas facilities, with the potential to generate structural insights and therapeutic targets that could benefit multiple disease areas where mitochondrial metabolism plays a central pathogenic role.