How arsenic affects gene regulation in cells
Role of epigenetic crosstalks in directing locus sensitivity to arsenic
Researchers are learning how exposure to arsenic changes the chemical tags on DNA and proteins that control genes, to better understand who may be most sensitive.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11222686 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses arsenic as a model to find out why some parts of the genome change their chemical tags while others do not. The team works with mouse embryonic stem cells and applies methods like bisulfite sequencing (BS-seq), CUT&RUN, RNA-seq, mass spectrometry, and metabolomics to measure DNA methylation, histone marks, and cellular metabolites. They expose cells to low levels of inorganic arsenic and compare changes at specific genomic locations to identify combinations of marks that make a site vulnerable. The goal is to map the molecular pathways that direct site-specific sensitivity to arsenic.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who live or work in areas with known arsenic contamination or who have documented arsenic exposure would be most relevant for related future studies.
Not a fit: People without arsenic exposure or whose health issues are unrelated to environmental toxicants are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal molecular signatures that predict who is most at risk from arsenic exposure and guide prevention or treatment approaches.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research shows arsenic alters DNA methylation and histone marks at a global level, but applying detailed sequencing and proteomic methods to explain locus-specific differences is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Allard, Patrick — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Allard, Patrick
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.