Cis-acting elements that control when DNA replication starts in development
Official title: cis-Acting Elements Regulating Developmental Control of Replication Timing
Funded at San Diego Biomedical Research Institute · NIH-11412661 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying specific DNA sequences that help determine when and how quickly DNA replication happens in early cell development, with potential implications for cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | San Diego Biomedical Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2007 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $456,549 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM083337-18 |
| Project ID | NIH-11412661 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients whose cancers or developmental diseases involve disruptions in DNA replication timing or chromatin architecture, though the study is preclinical and uses cell models.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without cancers or developmental diseases related to replication timing or chromatin structure may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at ERCEs, DNA elements that influence replication timing and 3D chromosome structure in mouse embryonic stem cells, to understand how these processes relate to disease. It uses a 3C-based approach to map how ERCEs interact with the genome and with key transcription factors. By uncovering the mechanisms that link replication timing, chromatin architecture, and transcription, the work aims to reveal targets that could be relevant to human health and cancer. The findings could shed light on how developmental timing genes go awry in disease and inform future therapeutic strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A deeper understanding of genome regulation could lead to new ideas for diagnosing or treating cancers linked to replication timing and chromatin organization.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies show that chromatin architecture and replication timing are interconnected, supporting the potential for impactful findings in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
San Diego Biomedical Research Institute
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gilbert, David M — San Diego Biomedical Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Gilbert, David M
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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.