How BAF chromatin remodelers move DNA to influence gene activity
Official title: Molecular mechanisms of nucleosome remodeling by the BAF chromatin remodeling complexes
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-11432460 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH-funded project studies how BAF chromatin remodeling proteins change the way DNA is packaged to affect gene activity, with implications for cancer and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,340,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R01GM166611-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11432460 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals whose conditions are related to BAF/ARID1A mutations or chromatin remodeling defects and who might participate in future translational or clinical research.
✕Less likely to help
This basic science project does not involve direct patient interventions or current treatment changes.
What this research studies
If you or someone you know has a condition linked to mutations in BAF chromatin remodelers, this project could shed light on how these proteins rearrange DNA packaging. Researchers will recreate cBAF, PBAF, and ncBAF complexes in the lab and test how different subunits affect nucleosome binding and movement, including the role of ARID1A. The work aims to pinpoint a specific ARID1A function crucial for transferring histone octamers, which could inform future therapies that target chromatin dynamics. The findings may improve understanding of why certain cancers and Coffin-Siris syndrome occur and how chromatin remodeling contributes to disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of chromatin remodeling could guide the development of targeted therapies for cancers and neurodevelopmental disorders linked to BAF subunits.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has demonstrated key biochemical activities of BAF complexes, including ARID1A’s role in histone transfer, suggesting this approach could yield meaningful insights.
Where this research is happening
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Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Watanabe, Shinya — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Watanabe, Shinya
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.