How DNA methylation changes in our cells affect gene activity
Official title: Dynamics of oxidative DNA demethylation from duplex DNA to chromatin
Funded at University of Kansas Medical Center · NIH-11595553 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project studies how chemical changes to DNA, and the way DNA is packaged, influence how genes turn on or off in vertebrate cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project start | September 11, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 4R00ES036599-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11595553 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
No specific patient population required for this grant, as it focuses on cellular and molecular mechanisms.
✕Less likely to help
If you are seeking a direct clinical trial or patient intervention, this study may not offer immediate benefit.
What this research studies
Scientists will explore how chromatin structure and the enzymes TET2 and TDG work together to remove methyl marks from DNA. The work combines advanced lab techniques to observe these processes in cell lines and reconstituted nucleosomes, aiming to see how DNA packaging affects demethylation. The candidate will receive training in CRISPR genome editing, live-cell single-particle tracking, nucleosome reconstitution, and cryo-EM structure determination. This mentored phase is designed to build skills that connect basic molecular mechanisms to cellular gene regulation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Gaining a deeper understanding of how DNA methylation and chromatin context control gene activity could inform future strategies for treating diseases linked to epigenetic dysregulation.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests TDG and TET2 interact and influence demethylation, supporting a promising, though complex, approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schaich, Matthew Allen — University of Kansas Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Schaich, Matthew Allen
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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.