Exploring how jumping genes affect health and disease in vertebrates

Understanding the regulation and impact of transposable elements in Vertebrate health and disease

NIH-funded research University of Southern California · NIH-11088518

This study is looking at how special pieces of DNA, called 'jumping genes', affect our health and can contribute to diseases like cancer and brain disorders, especially as we age, and it's designed for anyone interested in understanding more about how our genes work.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Southern California NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11088518 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the role of transposable elements, often referred to as 'jumping genes', in the regulation of genomic health and disease in vertebrates. By examining how these elements influence cellular functions and contribute to conditions like cancer and neurodegeneration, the study aims to uncover critical mechanisms of genomic regulation. The research employs advanced techniques, including big data analysis and machine learning, to analyze genomic patterns across different cell types and biological sexes. This work is particularly focused on understanding how disruptions in these regulatory processes can lead to age-related health declines.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing age-related health issues or diseases such as cancer that may be influenced by genomic regulation.

Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to genomic regulation or those who are not affected by age-related decline may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into the prevention and treatment of diseases linked to genomic regulation, potentially improving health outcomes for patients.

How similar studies have performed: While the study of transposable elements is gaining attention, this specific approach to understanding their role in health and disease is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

Los Angeles, 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 Cancers
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.