Mapping how RNA and protein shapes control gene splicing
Decoding global RNP topologies in splicing regulation
This project will map 3‑D RNA and protein interactions that control splicing to help people with splicing-related conditions like Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11324875 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
For patients like me, this project aims to reveal the three-dimensional shapes and contacts between RNA and proteins that determine how genes are sliced and turned into proteins. The team will build a new laboratory method called SHARCLIP to capture RNA–RNA, RNA–protein, and protein–protein interactions together inside cells. They will combine SHARCLIP with existing PARIS and SHARC techniques to create high-resolution 3‑D maps of pre-mRNA and chromatin-associated RNPs. The work uses chemical crosslinking in cells and may include patient-derived samples to better understand splicing errors that cause diseases such as Duchenne.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy or other genetic disorders caused by abnormal splicing who can provide biological samples or join sample donation programs.
Not a fit: People without splicing-related disorders or those seeking an immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal new molecular targets and guide therapies (for example antisense oligonucleotides) to correct faulty splicing in diseases like Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
How similar studies have performed: Related methods developed by the lab (PARIS, SHARC) have successfully mapped RNA structures, but integrating RNA–protein–protein interactions into high-throughput 3‑D RNP maps is a novel advance.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lu, Zhipeng — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Lu, Zhipeng
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.