Detecting a common chemical change in human mRNA (pseudouridine)
Synthetic mRNA Control Set for Nanopore-Based Pseudouridine Modification Profiling in Human Transcriptomes
['FUNDING_R01'] · NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY · NIH-11290369
Developing a lab method to reliably detect a chemical change in human mRNA (pseudouridine) to help researchers and clinicians better understand disease processes.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11290369 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers create synthetic mRNA molecules with known pseudouridine sites and run them through nanopore RNA sequencing to record the raw signals. They train computer algorithms on these controlled signals so the software can learn sequence-specific patterns that indicate pseudouridine. The work uses human transcripts and cell-line RNA so the tools will be applicable to patient samples. Over the grant period they will refine the synthetic controls, improve the calling software, and validate accuracy across many different mRNA sequences.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal contributors would be people willing to donate tissue or blood samples for RNA analysis, especially patients with conditions where RNA modifications may play a role (for example cancer or immune disorders).
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or those with conditions unrelated to RNA biology are unlikely to get direct clinical benefit from this laboratory-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could let scientists detect mRNA modifications more reliably, which might lead to better diagnostics or therapies that target RNA changes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work showed nanopore sequencing can indicate RNA modifications but with low, sequence-dependent accuracy, while this group's controlled synthetic‑RNA approach and tailored algorithms have demonstrated over 90% accuracy in preliminary tests.
Where this research is happening
BOSTON, UNITED STATES
- NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY — BOSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: ROUHANIFARD, SARA HAKIM — NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: ROUHANIFARD, SARA HAKIM
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.