Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center received a $456.5K Project Grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) under the Biomedical Research and Research Training program (CFDA 93.859), awarded July 15, 2026, with completion targeted for April 30, 2031. The award supports fundamental research investigating the molecular mechanisms of lysosomal G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling in metabolic regulation, specifically examining LYCHOS (lysosomal cholesterol signaling), a cholesterol-sensing GPCR localized to lysosomes that activates mTORC1 (mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1), a master regulator of cellular growth and metabolism.

The research deliverables will define how LYCHOS regulates neighboring organelle functions with emphasis on transcriptional program regulation, redox homeostasis, and lipid metabolism. The investigator-initiated project will employ biosensors, omics approaches, biochemistry, and cell biology tools to map LYCHOS signaling cascades and identify novel effectors. Additionally, the award supports exploratory studies leveraging human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)–derived neuronal models to characterize unique LYCHOS functions in the brain, where cholesterol metabolism and lysosomal signaling play critical roles. These basic research outputs are intended to advance understanding of nutrient sensing mechanisms and inform therapeutic approaches for metabolic and neurological disorders resulting from dysregulation of these cellular processes.