A tool to watch many genes turn on inside tissues over time
Multiplexed, Continuous Reporting of Gene Expression via CRISPR-mediated Transcriptional Activation
We're developing a CRISPR-based fluorescent system that can continuously show when many immune-related genes (like cytokines) are turned on in tissues to better understand how tumors and immune cells interact during treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11179180 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are building a CRISPR-mediated sensor that produces different fluorescent signals when specific genes, especially cytokines, are activated in cells. They will optimize the sensor's sensitivity and then use a Cre-Lox randomized reporter strategy to let the system show nine or more cytokines at once in the same tissue. The goal is to capture dynamic changes over time and across different locations within tumors or other tissues rather than relying on single snapshot measurements. Lab work and tissue studies will be used to validate the approach before any clinical sample use is scaled up.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with solid tumors or other immune-driven conditions, especially those considering or receiving immunotherapy and willing to donate tumor or tissue samples, would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: Patients without immune-related diseases or those seeking immediate therapeutic benefit are unlikely to gain direct help from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could give doctors and researchers a clearer, real-time picture of immune signals in tumors and help guide or improve immunotherapy strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Prior lab studies have shown CRISPR-based reporters can work for single genes, but multiplexed, in-tissue continuous reporting of many cytokines is a new and largely untested extension.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ishizuka, Jeffrey J. — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Ishizuka, Jeffrey J.
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 below.