Glow-based brain sensor to track UBE3A activity
Luminescence-based biosensor to non-invasively measure UBE3A activity in the brain
A new, non-invasive glow sensor is being tried to track UBE3A activity in the brain for people affected by Angelman syndrome or Dup15q-related autism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 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-11306048 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are developing a luciferase (light-producing) biosensor that can measure the activity of the UBE3A protein inside brain cells without invasive procedures. The team has already shown the sensor works in lab-grown cells and primary neurons and are improving its sensitivity to detect both loss- and gain-of-function UBE3A changes. The goal is to adapt the sensor so it can be used to monitor UBE3A activity over time in living brains, which may involve animal imaging before any human use. If successful, this tool could let scientists see whether drugs or gene therapies are restoring UBE3A to healthier levels more quickly.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Angelman syndrome or Dup15q (UBE3A-related conditions) and their caregivers are the groups most directly connected to this work.
Not a fit: This project does not offer a direct treatment and may not provide immediate benefits to patients without UBE3A-related conditions or those seeking urgent clinical care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this sensor could speed up development and monitoring of therapies that aim to correct UBE3A levels for people with Angelman syndrome or Dup15q.
How similar studies have performed: Existing lab-based reporter assays have measured UBE3A activity in cells, but using a non-invasive light-based sensor to track endogenous UBE3A in the living brain is a novel advance with promising early lab results.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zylka, Mark J. — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Zylka, Mark J.
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.