How DNA damage creates the mutations that drive cancer
Understanding the origins of the mutational landscape in cancer
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIV OF ARKANSAS FOR MED SCIS · NIH-11291278
This project will map types and locations of DNA damage and trace how those lesions turn into cancer-causing mutations in people exposed to environmental toxins or with cancer.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIV OF ARKANSAS FOR MED SCIS (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (LITTLE ROCK, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11291278 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will catalog the chemical DNA lesions (the 'adductome') and pinpoint where they occur in the genome, then link those lesions to the mutations that follow. They will combine chemical DNA damage profiling with long-read Nanopore sequencing and ultra-accurate single-molecule duplex sequencing to trace mutation origins. The team will use laboratory models and tumor DNA samples to build detailed maps showing which damages lead directly to mutations and which arise from the cell's own error-prone processes. This approach aims to separate exposure-driven mutations from those caused indirectly by natural cellular processes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with cancer who can provide tumor tissue or DNA samples, or individuals with known exposures to environmental mutagens willing to contribute samples for analysis.
Not a fit: People without cancer, those unable to provide tissue or DNA samples, or anyone seeking immediate clinical treatment changes are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this laboratory-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help identify specific environmental causes of cancer and improve prevention, early detection, and more precise risk guidance for patients.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked some exposures to mutation patterns, but combining comprehensive DNA adduct mapping with long-read and single-molecule sequencing is a relatively new and more comprehensive approach.
Where this research is happening
LITTLE ROCK, UNITED STATES
- UNIV OF ARKANSAS FOR MED SCIS — LITTLE ROCK, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: BOYSEN, GUNNAR — UNIV OF ARKANSAS FOR MED SCIS
- Study coordinator: BOYSEN, GUNNAR
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.
Conditions: Cancer Biology, Cancer Induction, Cancer Model, CancerModel, Cancers