Investigating how small protein-coding regions in mRNA affect gene translation in vertebrates
Official title: Small translated ORFs in the 3'UTR enhance translation in vertebrates
Funded at Stowers Institute for Medical Research · NIH-10978210 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at tiny pieces of genetic code in our cells that might help control how genes work and could be connected to diseases like cancer, and it's for anyone interested in understanding more about how our bodies function at a molecular level.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stowers Institute for Medical Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2020 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $361,129 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM136849-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10978210 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with genetic conditions or cancers that may be influenced by gene regulation mechanisms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to gene regulation or those not affected by the mechanisms studied may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the role of small translated open reading frames (ORFs) found in the untranslated regions of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in vertebrates. By examining these small ORFs, particularly in the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR), the study aims to uncover their impact on gene regulation and their potential links to diseases such as cancer. The researchers will utilize advanced techniques like ribosome and proteomic profiling to analyze how these small ORFs influence translation and gene expression. Understanding these mechanisms could provide insights into fundamental biological processes and disease states.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for diseases linked to gene regulation, particularly cancers.
How similar studies have gone: While the investigation of small ORFs in the 5'UTR has shown success, the study of 3'UTR small ORFs is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Stowers Institute for Medical Research
Kansas City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bazzini, Ariel — Stowers Institute for Medical Research
- Study coordinator: Bazzini, Ariel
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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.