A new way to measure how proteins affect genes in autoimmune diseases
Official title: Rapid and robust assay for measurement of in vivo activity of chromatin-interacting proteins
Funded at Epicypher, INC. · NIH-11121022 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is creating a new, easy-to-use test to help scientists better understand how certain proteins control genes, especially in conditions like autoimmune diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Epicypher, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Research Triangle Park, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 19, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,008,869 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AI179547-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11121022 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with autoimmune diseases or other conditions linked to gene regulation could indirectly benefit from the knowledge gained using this new tool.
✕Less likely to help
Patients seeking direct clinical intervention or immediate treatment options would not directly benefit from this foundational tool development.
What this research studies
Our genes are controlled by special proteins that interact with our DNA, and understanding how these proteins work is key to both health and disease, including autoimmune conditions. Currently, it's hard for scientists to accurately measure the activity of these proteins in their natural state within cells. Existing methods are often too expensive, complicated, or don't specifically show what's happening on the DNA itself. This project aims to develop a simple, affordable, and fast test that can precisely measure these protein activities, making it easier for many researchers to study gene regulation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this new test could speed up our understanding of how gene regulation goes wrong in diseases like autoimmune conditions, potentially leading to new treatment ideas.
How similar studies have gone: The project addresses a recognized need in the scientific community for a more accessible and high-throughput method to study chromatin-associating proteins.
Where this research is happening
-
Epicypher, INC.
Research Triangle Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sun, Zu-Wen — Epicypher, INC.
- Study coordinator: Sun, Zu-Wen
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.