How the protein CHAF1B keeps cells from changing their identity
How CHAF1B maintains cell state by repressing transcription of fate genes
This research explores how the protein CHAF1B keeps immature cells from switching into other cell types, which could help people with cancers or bone marrow disorders linked to faulty cell identity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11176377 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, the team will study CHAF1B and its partner complex (CAF1) in the lab to see how they turn off genes that would make cells change identity. They will use cell models and molecular tools to follow what happens at the DNA replication fork when histone proteins are reassembled. The researchers will change CHAF1B levels in cells and measure gene activity, cell division, and differentiation outcomes. The goal is to link these basic mechanisms to processes that go wrong in cancers and bone marrow failure.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers—especially blood cancers or disorders involving bone marrow failure—or patients willing to donate tissue or blood samples for laboratory research are the most relevant candidates to contribute to or benefit from this work.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to cell identity or epigenetic regulation (for example, isolated structural injuries) are unlikely to see direct benefit from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new molecular targets to prevent or correct the cell-identity errors that drive some cancers and bone marrow disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies have linked CAF1/CHAF1B to chromatin assembly and development, but the specific role in repressing fate genes during DNA replication is a relatively new area with limited translation to therapies so far.
Where this research is happening
Cincinnati, United States
- Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr — Cincinnati, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Volk, Andrew — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Volk, Andrew
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.