Federal Project Grant Award Summary

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Inc. received a $462,500 Project Grant award from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) under the Biomedical Research and Research Training program (CFDA 93.859), effective February 10, 2026 through January 31, 2031. The award supports fundamental research to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying rapid multivesicular body (MVB) formation during synaptic vesicle recycling. The research integrates advanced imaging methodologies, including time-resolved electron microscopy and super-resolution imaging techniques, to capture membrane dynamics occurring on millisecond-to-second timescales and identify the molecular components that drive rapid MVB biogenesis.

The grant supports investigator-initiated basic biomedical research that will advance understanding of endocytic organelle formation and protein homeostasis mechanisms relevant to cellular nutrient sensing, signal desensitization, and synaptic function. The deliverables include the development of novel experimental paradigms combining electron and super-resolution microscopy to visualize protein interactions and membrane remodeling at nanometer resolution, with potential applications to understanding pathological conditions including tumor cell invasion, neurological diseases, and chronic infections. This project falls within NIGMS's mission to fund foundational biological research that provides the scientific basis for advances in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.