How R-loops control gene activity in early development and tissue maintenance
The Regulatory R-loops in Pluripotency, Early Development, and Tissue Homeostasis
This project looks at how R-loops influence gene activity and DNA stability in early embryo and tissue cells to improve understanding of developmental disorders and tissue health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11394577 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team will use mouse and human embryonic stem cells to model early development and tissue maintenance and to map where R-loops form. They will focus on a DNA-binding protein called Zfp281 (human ZNF281) and its partners Tet1 and Brca2 to see how R-loops help turn genes on or get resolved to protect the genome. The lab combines genetic tools and molecular assays to induce or remove R-loops and then watches effects on gene activity and DNA damage in cells. Findings aim to explain how R-loop balance supports healthy development and how its disruption can lead to disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project does not enroll patients; it uses lab-grown human embryonic stem cell lines and mouse models rather than recruiting people.
Not a fit: Patients should not expect direct clinical benefit from this lab-based research because it does not provide treatments or trials.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal molecular targets that eventually help prevent or treat developmental disorders, cancers, or other diseases tied to genome instability.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies show R-loops can regulate gene expression and genome stability, but applying those findings to pluripotency and the ZNF281 pathway is a relatively new direction.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huang, Xin — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Huang, Xin
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.