Wednesday, February 18, 2026 2/18/2026

Molecular tools for cholesterol metabolite signaling

Award Number: R35GM152119
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/01/2024
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 11/30/2028

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Molecular tools for cholesterol metabolite signaling - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Cholesterol is a central molecule in human health, serving as a precursor for active metabolites, a specific ligand for proteins, and a determinant of membrane architecture. Dysregulated cholesterol metabolism has wide- reaching consequences and is a hallmark of nearly every major human disease, including neurodegeneration, cancer, and immune disorders. Despite the immense roles of cholesterol and its metabolites in human health, their molecular signaling mechanisms remain largely unknown. The main barrier to understanding and targeting cholesterol metabolites in therapy is our lack of tools to define their precise interactions. To address this gap, we have established innovative cholesterol metabolite probes that contain functionalities for chemoproteomics- based target identification and microscopy-based subcellular localization. We have used these probes to quantitatively profile the proteome-wide interactomes of oxysterol metabolites and specify their roles in specific processes of cancer and immunity. Importantly, our tools have uncovered highly selective protein interactors, including the tumorigenic and neuroactive sigma-2 orphan receptor (TMEM97), providing new opportunities to target cholesterol metabolite activities in disease. Over the next 5 years, we will build upon our established tools and technologies to interrogate oncogenic, immunomodulatory, and neuroactive cholesterol metabolites as well as cholesterol itself. Specifically, we will design a next-generation chemoproteomics platform for multiplexed cholesterol metabolite target profiling and pioneer an integrated fluorescence microscopy approach for subcellular cholesterol metabolite imaging. Our tools and technologies will revolutionize the analysis of cholesterol metabolite interactions, advancing cholesterol metabolism as a druggable target in human disease.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $354,186 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS	809 S MARSHFIELD AVE M/C 551	CHICAGO	IL	60612	COOK	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	001	3	12/11/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$354,186
2026	2025	UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS	809 S MARSHFIELD AVE M/C 551	CHICAGO	IL	60612	COOK	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	2	12/10/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $354,186

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $393,720 )
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS	809 S MARSHFIELD AVE M/C 551	CHICAGO	IL	60612	COOK	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	002	2	8/5/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$39,371
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS	809 S MARSHFIELD AVE M/C 551	CHICAGO	IL	60612	COOK	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	001	2	11/21/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$354,349
2025	2024	UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS	809 S MARSHFIELD AVE M/C 551	CHICAGO	IL	60612	COOK	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	1	11/5/2024	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $393,720

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $549,971 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS	809 S MARSHFIELD AVE M/C 551	CHICAGO	IL	60612	COOK	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	1	1/25/2024	NEW	$549,971
														Subtotal = $549,971

Grand Total All Awards = $1,297,877

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Molecular tools for cholesterol metabolite signaling

Award Number: R35GM152119

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/01/2024

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 11/30/2028

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