High-Resolution Mutation Maps and Multi-Omics to Understand Why Cancers Develop
Official title: Project 2: High Resolution Mutation Spectra and Multi-Omics for Deducing Etiology and Predicting Disease
Funded at Massachusetts Institute of Technology · NIH-11398620 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A cancer-focused grant studies how environmental chemicals, especially at Superfund sites, may cause DNA changes and protein changes that could lead to cancer, using advanced sequencing and multi-omics in mice and human-derived samples.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2017 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $439,743 |
| NIH project number | 5P42ES027707-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11398620 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants include individuals with exposure histories relevant to the studied chemicals or communities near Superfund sites, and those contributing biospecimens or health data for translational insights.
✕Less likely to help
People without exposure to the studied toxicants or without interest in participating in biospecimen collection may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses a mouse model and cutting-edge DNA sequencing to explore how environmental toxicants might damage DNA and alter protein networks, potentially leading to cancer. It combines multi-omics approaches to connect exposure, molecular changes, and disease outcomes. The study includes community engagement with affected areas and Tribes to identify relevant chemicals and exposure scenarios and to translate findings toward human health impact.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could clarify how environmental chemicals contribute to cancer risk and guide prevention and policy decisions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show that environmental exposures can cause detectable molecular changes; this project adds a deeper multi-omics layer and animal models to link exposure to cancer mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Essigmann, John M — Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Essigmann, John M
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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.