How the protein MOF helps shape skin development
Investigate MOF regulated epigenetic mechanisms of skin development
Researchers are looking at how the protein MOF controls gene switches in skin cells during development to improve understanding of skin health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11307596 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project studies a chemical tag on DNA-packaging proteins (called H4K16Ac) that MOF creates and how that tag changes skin cell behavior. Scientists will use lab-grown skin cells and animal models to see how altering MOF changes which genes are turned on or off. The team will measure changes in chromatin structure and interactions with other proteins to map the chain of events that guide skin formation. Findings are meant to build basic knowledge that could point to targets for future skin therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with inherited skin development disorders, chronic nonhealing wounds, or those willing to donate skin tissue for research may be relevant to this line of work.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate relief for common or cosmetic skin issues (for example acne or cosmetic aging treatments) are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal molecular targets that might eventually lead to new treatments for developmental skin disorders, wound healing problems, or aging-related skin changes.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research on other histone modifications and deacetylases has given useful insights into skin biology, but the specific role of MOF and H4K16Ac in skin remains relatively unexplored.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yi, Rui — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Yi, Rui
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.