How cells edit gene messages and how that affects cancer
Complexity and evolution of splicing-regulatory networks
This work looks at how cells edit gene messages (alternative splicing) in people and related species to find changes that matter for cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11129904 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers will combine computer analyses of human and chimp genetic data with lab experiments to map how alternative splicing changes across species and between people. They will use computational methods to find splicing differences tied to DNA changes and study those changes in experimental models to see if they alter gene function. The project will analyze human population data (including splicing QTLs), compare species-specific splicing patterns, and test candidate mutations in cells or model systems. This approach aims to identify splicing events that have real biological effects and possible links to cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with cancer who are willing to provide tumor or blood samples or share genetic data for splicing analysis.
Not a fit: People seeking an immediate new therapy or whose condition is unlikely to involve splicing changes are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research right away.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new molecular markers or targets related to cancer that help with diagnosis or guide future treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research shows splicing changes and sQTLs can affect disease, but using evolutionary comparisons to pinpoint functionally important splicing changes is a relatively new direction.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Chaolin — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Chaolin
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.