How DNA packaging controls when genes turn on
Mechanisms of chromatin regulation of transcription
This work looks at how the proteins that wrap and organize DNA control when genes are switched on, which matters for cancers and cell development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11177838 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers at Ohio State study how DNA is wrapped around histone proteins and how that packaging affects access to genes. They use advanced lab techniques that can watch single molecules and measure tiny forces, plus biochemical methods that alter histone chemical tags. The team focuses on 'pioneer' proteins that open compacted DNA and on how different epigenetic regulators work together or oppose each other. Learning these mechanisms helps explain how cells change identity and how gene control can go wrong in cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancer or those willing to donate tumor or tissue samples for lab research are the most directly relevant participants who could contribute to related efforts.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment options or enrollment in a clinical therapy trial are unlikely to benefit directly from this lab-based basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new molecular targets for therapies that control gene activity in cancers and other diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Single-molecule and biochemical studies have previously provided important insights into chromatin behavior, though turning those insights into patient treatments remains a long-term challenge.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- Ohio State University — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Poirier, Michael Guy — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Poirier, Michael Guy
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.