Developing a new DNA barcode technology to track cell lineages over time
Official title: Self-Evolvr: self-refreshing molecular barcodes using CRISPR-self-guided mutagenesis
Funded at Harvard Medical School · NIH-11035766 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way to track how cells grow and change over time using special DNA tags, which could help us better understand issues like antibiotic resistance and cancer, making it easier to find better treatments for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | April 4, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $222,933 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HG014016-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11035766 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals affected by antibiotic-resistant infections or cancers where lineage tracing could provide critical insights for treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to cellular lineage tracking or those not affected by antibiotic resistance or cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a novel DNA barcode system called Self-EvolvR, which allows for the continuous tracking of cellular lineages by embedding unique DNA sequences into cells. Unlike traditional barcode systems that become ineffective after clonal expansion, Self-EvolvR uses an engineered Cas9 system to introduce mutations into the barcode, enabling high-resolution lineage tracing across various biological systems. The project aims to optimize and validate this technology in both bacterial and eukaryotic models, providing insights into cellular dynamics over time. Patients may benefit from advancements in understanding antibiotic resistance and cancer progression through improved lineage tracking.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better tracking of cellular evolution, which may enhance treatment strategies for antibiotic resistance and cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in lineage tracing technologies, but the Self-EvolvR approach is novel and aims to overcome limitations of existing methods.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard Medical School
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Baym, Michael — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Baym, Michael
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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.