Dr. Shibata [HHMI Fellow] focuses on specialized protein quality control (QC) mechanisms in the cell, which ensure the proper folding of new proteins and the disposal of mature ones that no longer perform their duties adequately. Protein QC in the cell nucleus likely plays a pivotal role in protecting the integrity of the genome, but very little is known about this pathway. She aims to identify the network of components that make up the nuclear protein QC system. Cancer cells rely on protein QC pathways to proliferate uncontrollably, and the identification of the QC components may provide new therapeutic targets against cancer.

 

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Project Title: "Identifying protein quality control mechanisms in the nucleus"

Institution: Northwestern University

Sponsor(s) / Mentor(s): Richard I. Morimoto, PhD

Cancer Type: All cancers

Research Area: Cell Biology