How DNA enhancers control gene activity
Uncovering fundamentals of gene regulation by enhancers
Researchers are mapping how DNA enhancer regions control when and where genes turn on to help people with cancers and congenital birth defects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11308321 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project examines DNA enhancer elements that help switch genes on and off during development and tissue maintenance. Scientists will use genome-wide mapping, computational analyses, and live-cell imaging to see how enhancer-promoter distance and 3D genome folding influence gene activation. They will also study how the broader epigenetic environment changes a promoter's responsiveness to enhancers. The work aims to explain how changes in enhancers can lead to cancer or congenital malformations.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers or congenital conditions suspected to involve regulatory DNA changes, or those willing to provide samples for genetic and molecular analysis, would be most relevant.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are driven solely by non-genetic causes or by protein-coding mutations unrelated to gene regulation may see little direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to new ways to diagnose or target cancers and developmental disorders caused by enhancer dysfunction.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown enhancers influence gene expression, but large-scale, integrated studies of distance, 3D contacts, and epigenomic context are still emerging.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wysocka, Joanna — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Wysocka, Joanna
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.