How proteins and genes contribute to colorectal cancer risk
Uncovering colorectal cancer etiology and biology by integrating proteomics with other omics data
The team uses protein and genetic data from people to find proteins linked to colorectal cancer risk and tumor behavior.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11295436 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will measure thousands of proteins in normal colon tissue from people and link those protein levels to genetic variants that predict protein expression. They will build models from about 300 tissue samples to predict protein amounts from DNA and then apply those models to large genetic studies of over 125,000 people, including more than 58,000 people with colorectal cancer. By combining proteomics with existing genomic data, the team aims to identify proteins that increase cancer risk and study their roles in tumor progression and cell function. The work will help prioritize molecular targets for future prevention or treatment studies and considers diverse ancestry groups.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who can provide normal colon tissue or DNA—such as patients undergoing colonoscopy or colorectal surgery—and who are willing to share genetic and tissue samples are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People needing immediate cancer treatment or those unable or unwilling to provide tissue or genetic samples are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new molecular targets to prevent or treat colorectal cancer and improve risk prediction.
How similar studies have performed: Previous transcript-based studies (TWAS) have found candidate genes, but proteome-wide approaches are newer and less established, so this builds on promising but still-developing methods.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, United States
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Guo, Xingyi — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Guo, Xingyi
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.