Mapping RNA modifications using advanced mass spectrometry techniques.
Official title: High-throughput Direct Sequencing and Quantitative Mapping of RNA Modifications using Mass Spectrometry.
Funded at Directseq Biosciences, INC. · NIH-10920130 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new way to look at tiny changes in RNA that can help us understand how our cells work and how diseases like cancer and diabetes develop, so we can find better ways to treat them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Directseq Biosciences, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Woodcliff Lake, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $406,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R41HG013624-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10920130 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions related to RNA modification dysregulation, such as certain cancers or metabolic disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to RNA modifications or those not affected by the diseases being studied may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a high-throughput method to sequence and map RNA modifications, which are crucial for understanding cellular functions and diseases like cancer and diabetes. The approach utilizes mass spectrometry to overcome the limitations of current sequencing techniques that often miss or bias certain RNA modifications. By accurately characterizing over 170 unique chemical alterations in tRNA, the research aims to provide a comprehensive view of RNA's role in health and disease. This could lead to better insights into how these modifications affect cellular regulation and disease progression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of RNA modifications, leading to improved diagnostics and treatments for diseases such as cancer and diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: While mass spectrometry has been used in related fields, this specific approach to comprehensively map RNA modifications is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
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Directseq Biosciences, INC.
Woodcliff Lake, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Shenglong — Directseq Biosciences, INC.
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Shenglong
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Investigating RNA sequences and their modifications to improve understanding of diseases.
This study is looking at RNA, which plays a big role in diseases like breast cancer, using a new method to get a clearer picture of its details, so we can better understand how these diseases work and find new ways to treat them.
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.