How DNA changes contribute to cancer
Understanding Epigenetic Regulation of Copy Number Heterogeneity
This project aims to understand how tiny pieces of DNA, called ecDNA, behave in our bodies and how they might cause cancer and drug resistance.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11190864 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our cells contain DNA, but sometimes extra pieces of DNA, called ecDNA, appear outside the main chromosomes. These ecDNA pieces are often found in higher amounts in cancer cells and can carry genes that help cancer grow or become resistant to treatments. This research seeks to uncover how these ecDNA pieces are formed, how they are controlled, and why they become problematic in diseases like cancer. By understanding these basic processes, we hope to find new ways to target cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with various cancers, particularly breast cancer, where ecDNA may play a role in disease progression or drug resistance, could eventually benefit from this foundational knowledge.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are not related to extrachromosomal DNA or cancer may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to understand and potentially treat cancers, especially those that are resistant to current drugs.
How similar studies have performed: This work explores a relatively new and fundamental area of biology regarding ecDNA, aiming to provide foundational insights into a pathway that is not yet fully understood.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ford, Heide L. — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Ford, Heide L.
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.