Brain gene organization in development and neuron wiring
Official title: Mechanisms of genome organization in brain development
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11607997 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in mice looks at how large genome regions inside neuron nuclei help shape brain connections during development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | August 21, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $509,949 |
| NIH project number | 1R56NS143806-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11607997 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to patients directly; findings aim to inform human brain development and potential future therapies.
✕Less likely to help
No immediate patient care impact; this is basic science in animal models.
What this research studies
Researchers at Northwestern University are exploring how mega-enhancer bodies inside cerebellar granule neurons organize long gene regions that control network wiring in the brain. They already found Etv1 as a key regulator that brings target genes to these nuclear structures and activates maturation programs. The project will test how different parts of Etv1 contribute to linking genome organization with turning genes on, and will map how long neuronal genes and ME bodies influence granule neuron subtypes across cerebellar lobules. These studies use animal models to understand fundamental brain biology that could inform human neurodevelopmental disorders in the future.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding these mechanisms could eventually lead to insights for conditions affecting brain wiring and development.
How similar studies have gone: Previous findings suggest ME bodies and Etv1 regulate genome organization and neuronal maturation, supporting further investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yamada, Tomoko — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Yamada, Tomoko
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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.