How telomeres (chromosome end caps) are kept at the right length and protected
Mechanisms regulating telomere length, protection and replication
Scientists will look into how human cells control telomere length and protection to better understand links to cancer and aging.
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-11261777 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As a patient, you should know researchers at Yale are studying the proteins that build and guard telomeres, the protective caps on chromosome ends. They will use human cell lines, CRISPR-based genetic screens, biochemical and structural experiments, and mass spectrometry to map how proteins like POT1 and TRF2-RAP1 coordinate telomere DNA synthesis and block harmful repair. The team aims to identify molecular switches that recruit telomerase or fill-in machinery and prevent inappropriate DNA damage responses. Although the work is lab-based, it focuses on human telomere biology that relates to cancer and age-related disorders.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers known to involve telomere maintenance mechanisms or patients with inherited short-telomere syndromes would be the most relevant candidates for related clinical follow-up or future trials.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment likely will not benefit directly because this is basic laboratory research rather than a clinical trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new targets for cancer therapies or diagnostics and improve understanding of age-related telomere disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies in cells and animal models have identified key telomere proteins and shown proof-of-principle modulation, but the specific human regulatory switches targeted here remain largely untested.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chang, Sandy S — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Chang, Sandy S
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.