Developing a new method to mutate specific parts of the mammalian genome for better understanding of gene functions

Multiplexed Locus-Specific Hypermutation for Functional Characterization of the Coding and Noncoding Genome

NIH-funded research Broad Institute, INC. · NIH-11050782

This study is exploring a new method to make specific changes in genes to better understand how they work, which could help us learn more about diseases like cancer and improve treatments for patients.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBroad Institute, INC. NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Cambridge, United States)
Project IDNIH-11050782 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on creating a novel platform called helicase-assisted continuous evolution (HACE) to introduce targeted mutations in the mammalian genome. By using a specialized enzyme system, researchers aim to evolve gene regulatory networks and investigate gene functions with high precision. This approach allows for the examination of both coding and non-coding regions of the genome, which could lead to insights into cancer drug resistance and other biological processes. Patients may benefit from advancements in understanding how genes contribute to disease and treatment responses.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with cancers that exhibit drug resistance or those interested in genetic factors influencing treatment outcomes.

Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to genetic mutations or those not affected by cancer drug resistance may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved therapies for cancer and other diseases by enhancing our understanding of gene regulation and drug resistance.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown success with CRISPR and related gene-editing technologies, indicating potential for this novel approach to yield significant insights.

Where this research is happening

Cambridge, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions cancer drug resistance
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.