How RNA control in brain cells affects nervous system health
Post-transcriptional mRNA regulation in the mammalian nervous system
This work looks at how changes in how brain cells process and translate RNA, including repeated sequences and alternative start sites, may contribute to neurological disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11234287 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
They will study how repeated RNA sequences (microsatellite expansions) change how RNA is processed and turned into proteins in mammalian neurons. They will examine alternative places where cells begin making proteins from the same RNA, using a well-studied neuronal gene to find general rules. They will compare and improve methods that measure how efficiently RNAs are translated into protein, using genome-wide sequencing and ribosome profiling in lab-grown neuronal cells and tissues. These lab-based experiments aim to connect molecular changes in RNA behavior to processes known to go wrong in human neurodegenerative and neurological disorders.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with neurodegenerative conditions linked to microsatellite repeat expansions (such as certain ataxias or Huntington-related disorders) or those willing to donate tissue or biospecimens to support basic research would be most relevant.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to RNA processing or repeat-expansion mechanisms are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could reveal molecular causes of some neurodegenerative diseases and point to new biomarkers or targets for future therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked repeat expansions and altered translation to disease, but the focus on alternative start codons and improving translation measurement methods is a relatively new and specialized approach.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Guo, Junjie — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Guo, Junjie
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.