Chemical tools to understand how proteins that package human DNA communicate
Chemical strategies to investigate biochemical crosstalk in human chromatin
This project makes specially modified DNA-packaging proteins and the cancer-related protein p53 to learn how tiny chemical tags change gene control, which could help people with cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11321104 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use new protein semisynthesis methods to make histones and p53 with precise chemical tags such as sumoylation and methylation that are otherwise rare or hard to study. These semisynthetic proteins will be tested in lab-based biophysical and biochemical assays to see how the tags change chromatin structure and gene activity. The work focuses on how modifications affect the tumor suppressor p53 and chromatin regulation, aiming to reveal mechanisms that are missed by standard approaches. This is a laboratory study and does not enroll patient volunteers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project does not enroll patients; it focuses on lab-made proteins rather than recruiting people for clinical participation.
Not a fit: People looking for immediate new treatments or clinical trial enrollment will not receive direct benefit from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new molecular targets in chromatin or p53 regulation that lead to better cancer treatments down the line.
How similar studies have performed: Related lab studies using protein semisynthesis and biochemical assays have clarified chromatin mechanisms before, but applying these methods to p53 methylation and specific histone sumoylation is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chatterjee, Champak — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Chatterjee, Champak
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.