Mapping RNA splice variants in aging breast tissue before cancer
Building a spatial transcriptomics infrastructure for isoform profiling in aging pre-neoplastic tissues
Researchers will create tools to map full-length RNA splice variants in aging breast tissues to find early changes that may lead to breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Jackson Laboratory NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bar Harbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11322199 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project will build a high-resolution method that combines tissue imaging with long-read RNA sequencing to capture full-length RNA isoforms in place within breast tissue. Scientists will apply this approach to aging, pre-neoplastic breast tissues to see where and when alternative splicing changes occur in the tissue microenvironment. By comparing patterns across ages and tissue regions, they hope to identify molecular alterations that happen before a tumor forms. The work uses human breast samples and lab methods to link age-related RNA changes to early steps in cancer development.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be older adults or people undergoing breast surgery or biopsy who are willing to donate tissue samples for research.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate therapeutic benefit or new treatments are unlikely to benefit directly because this is a laboratory and tissue-based research program rather than a treatment trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal early molecular signs of breast cancer risk and point to new targets for prevention or earlier detection.
How similar studies have performed: Spatial transcriptomics has helped map gene expression in cancers, but combining spatial maps with long-read isoform profiling in aging pre‑cancer tissues is novel and largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Bar Harbor, United States
- Jackson Laboratory — Bar Harbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Anczukow-Camarda, Olga — Jackson Laboratory
- Study coordinator: Anczukow-Camarda, Olga
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.