How cells add and read chemical tags on RNA
INVESTIGATE SEQUENCE SPECIFICITY IN THE BIOSYNTHESIS AND RECOGNITION OF RNA CHEMICAL MODIFICATIONS
This project explores how tiny chemical tags on RNA control gene activity and how that process changes in cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chestnut Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11176748 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers will map where chemical modifications occur on RNA using advanced sequencing tools and biochemical tests. They will study the short sequence patterns around those sites to learn which enzymes add or remove the tags and how proteins recognize them. The team will use cell models and molecular assays and compare results with cancer samples or public human datasets to link findings to disease. Their approach aims to connect changes in RNA tagging with gene regulation that can drive cancer behavior.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with cancer who can donate tumor tissue, blood, or agree to use of their existing tumor samples for molecular analysis.
Not a fit: People without cancer or those who cannot or will not provide tissue or blood samples are unlikely to receive direct benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new biomarkers or drug targets that help diagnose or treat certain cancers.
How similar studies have performed: Sequencing and mapping of RNA modifications have been done before, but using those data to define precise sequence patterns and enzyme recognition is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Chestnut Hill, United States
- Boston College — Chestnut Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhou, Huiqing — Boston College
- Study coordinator: Zhou, Huiqing
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.