Improving gene editing in zebrafish to study human diseases
Official title: Targeted ingression of SNPs into the zebrafish genome
Funded at Iowa State University · NIH-11057937 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on improving gene editing in zebrafish to make it easier and faster to create small genetic changes that can help us better understand human diseases and develop new treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Iowa State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ames, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $181,754 |
| NIH project number | 1R21OD036481-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11057937 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals with genetic conditions that could be modeled using zebrafish, particularly those involving SNPs.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions that cannot be modeled in zebrafish or those not related to genetic variations may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing gene editing techniques in zebrafish, a common model organism, to efficiently introduce small genetic changes known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The team aims to overcome current challenges in gene editing, such as low rates of successful genetic changes and the time-consuming processes involved in screening. By utilizing a novel method called GeneWeld, which employs CRISPR technology, the researchers hope to create a more effective way to model human diseases and understand genetic variants that may contribute to health issues. This approach could lead to better insights into the genetic basis of diseases and improve the development of targeted therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective models for studying human diseases, ultimately improving diagnosis and treatment options.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research using CRISPR technology in animal models has shown promising results, indicating that this approach could be effective in advancing genetic studies.
Where this research is happening
-
Iowa State University
Ames, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Essner, Jeffrey J — Iowa State University
- Study coordinator: Essner, Jeffrey J
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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.