Mapping how heterochromatin organizes itself in human cells
Official title: Mapping heterochromatin organization with high-throughput imaging
Funded at Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation · NIH-11349626 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A project explores how tightly packed DNA (heterochromatin) organizes itself in human cells and what that means for gene regulation and disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oklahoma City, United States) |
| Project start | June 10, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $263,105 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM156711-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11349626 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with conditions linked to chromatin organization and genome regulation may indirectly benefit from advances in this area.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals without chromatin-related issues may be less directly impacted by this research.
What this research studies
This NIH grant supports a project to uncover the mechanisms that drive heterochromatin self-association in human cells. Researchers will compare different heterochromatin regions, identify proteins involved in keeping these regions together, and observe how these regions move within the nucleus. The work aims to create tools that let scientists deliberately alter genome organization to study its effects on gene activity. The findings could reveal new ways to understand and potentially influence genome regulation in health and disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new approaches for understanding and potentially correcting chromatin misregulation in diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that chromatin organization influences gene expression, supporting the potential relevance of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
Oklahoma City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Finn, Elizabeth H — Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
- Study coordinator: Finn, Elizabeth H
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.