Finding important RNA parts and disease-linked RNA changes
Official title: Integrative transcriptomics to uncover functional elements and disease-associated variants in RNA
Funded at Oregon State University · NIH-11177031 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses computer models and lab tests to find which parts of human RNA change how genes make proteins, with the goal of helping people affected by genetic and RNA-related conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Corvallis, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $302,660 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM145986-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11177031 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with unexplained genetic variants in coding regions, especially synonymous changes, or patients with developmental or neurological disorders interested in contributing samples would be most relevant.
✕Less likely to help
People without genetic or RNA-related conditions or those seeking immediate treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
What this research studies
Researchers combine advanced computer models (attention-based transformer networks) with lab data from human cell lines to predict which RNA sequence and structural features control protein production. They compare model predictions to ribosome profiling and RNA abundance data and use transfection experiments to confirm effects in the lab. A new RNA structural alignment and clustering method will find recurring structural motifs that attract RNA-binding proteins or microRNAs. The team focuses on medically important genes, especially those tied to development and brain function, to link specific RNA features to disease-relevant changes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could explain how subtle RNA changes cause disease and guide better genetic diagnoses and RNA-based therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies using ribosome profiling and codon-bias measures have linked RNA features to protein production, but combining transformer models, new structural alignment, and experimental validation in human cells is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon State University
Corvallis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hendrix, David Anthony — Oregon State University
- Study coordinator: Hendrix, David Anthony
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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.