CAUSE: Linking DNA damage to unexplained cancer mutation patterns
Official title: CAUSE - Connecting DNA Adducts, Unexplained Mutational Signatures, and Cancer Etiologies
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11506485 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A big, AI-powered project that looks at how DNA damage from everyday sources leads to cancer mutation patterns, with the goal of clearer causes and better prevention.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,353,696 |
| NIH project number | 1OT2CA320056-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11506485 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients whose cancers show specific mutational signatures or whose exposure histories align with the study aims.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without cancers carrying unexplained mutational signatures may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This grant supports a national study at UC San Diego where researchers use AI models and traditional mutagen tests to connect specific DNA adducts to cancer-causing mutation signatures. By examining how damaged DNA is formed, repaired, and translated into mutations, the team aims to map which exposures or internal processes drive particular cancer patterns. The work combines laboratory assays like the Ames test with computational analysis to interpret complex genetic data from many cancers. If successful, the findings could explain why certain cancers look the way they do at the genomic level and guide future prevention and therapy strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: It could help scientists identify environmental and biological sources of cancer-causing mutations, informing prevention and personalized treatment approaches.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked mutational signatures to mutagenic processes; this project adds mechanistic DNA adduct insight using AI and traditional assays.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alexandrov, Ludmil B — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Alexandrov, Ludmil B
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Improved MRI guidance for pediatric heart catheterization using autonomous multi-beat image synthesis
Aiming to make MRI-guided pediatric heart catheterizations safer and more reliable by using smart, multi-beat data fusion to produce clearer real-time MRI images.
-
Adapting a combination approach to reduce heavy drinking and boost HIV care and prevention among young men
A pilot project tests a proven program that helps young men cut down on heavy drinking and improves HIV treatment and prevention outcomes.
-
How specific anti-NMDAR1 antibodies in the blood may affect memory and brain protection
This research is exploring whether natural or abnormal anti-NMDAR1 antibodies in the blood influence memory, behavior, and brain protection in humans.
-
Screening and treatment of Chlamydia infection in pregnancy to help prevent preterm birth
This grant studies whether screening pregnant people for Chlamydia trachomatis and treating those who are positive can reduce the risk of preterm birth.
-
Pharmacometrics Core at UC San Diego
A pharmacometrics core is funded to support researchers in analyzing drug data to improve how medicines work for patients.
-
Milk Analytics Core for Precision Dairy Research
A core facility at UC San Diego will provide specialized milk analysis services to support research on dairy biology and human health.
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.