Finding DNA switches that change gene activity in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
High throughput functional studies of IBD-associated GWAS variants
This project uses high-throughput lab tests to find which genetic changes alter gene activity in people with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11321571 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will examine hundreds of DNA variants linked to IBD to identify those that change regulatory activity in disease-relevant cells and tissues. They will combine chromatin and transcription-factor QTL mapping to link genetic differences to changes in regulatory activity and use massively parallel reporter assays (MPRA) to test thousands of variant sequences directly. The team will work with human-derived cells, tissues, and genetic data to connect specific variants to the genes they control. The overall aim is to create a clearer map of genetic switches that contribute to IBD heterogeneity.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis who can provide DNA, blood, or tissue samples or agree to share genetic and clinical data.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical benefit should not expect direct help because this is lab-focused research intended to inform future therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal the specific genes and regulatory switches that drive IBD, pointing to new drug targets and better ways to predict disease course.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies using QTL mapping and MPRA have identified regulatory variants in other diseases, but translating those findings into treatments remains early-stage.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sheikh, Shehzad Z. — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Sheikh, Shehzad Z.
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.