Finding the switches that control how genes are spliced
Mapping proximal and distal splicing-regulatory elements
This work looks for small genetic 'switches' that change how cells make different protein versions and that can play a role in cancer and other diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11311843 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective as a patient, researchers will map the parts of our DNA and RNA that tell cells how to cut and join gene pieces to make different proteins. They will use laboratory tools (including CRISPR and binding assays), cellular models, and large-scale genomic data to find regulatory elements that alter splicing. The team will link those elements to genetic variants seen in people and to disease-related changes in tumors and other tissues. Results may point to precise places where therapies, like antisense drugs, could correct harmful splicing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers or genetic disorders suspected to involve abnormal RNA splicing, or those willing to donate blood, tumor, or genetic data, would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose illnesses are unrelated to splicing changes or who cannot provide biological samples are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal new targets for treatments that fix faulty splicing in cancer and other genetic diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Some therapies that correct splicing have worked for specific diseases, but a comprehensive, genome-wide map of splicing control elements is largely new.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Chaolin — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Chaolin
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.