Massively parallel test of brain gene switches in fentanyl-exposed mice
Official title: In vivo massive parallel reporter assay to analyze the function of cis-regulatory elements and variants implicated in substance use disorders
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11397239 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will test how specific genetic switches in the brain respond after chronic fentanyl exposure, using a new high-throughput method in live mice.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $196,726 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DA060455-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11397239 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with substance use disorders or those at risk could benefit from future therapies informed by understanding brain regulatory elements.
✕Less likely to help
This basic science study does not involve patient participation or direct treatment.
What this research studies
This project will use a cutting-edge MPRA approach to measure how candidate regulatory DNA elements behave in mouse brain tissue after chronic fentanyl exposure. By comparing activity at a paired-TSS-MPRA design, scientists aim to map which regulatory regions drive gene activity related to addiction. The study will be conducted in primary neurons and brain tissues of mice to ensure relevance to brain function in addiction. If successful, this method could reveal how human genetic variants influence the brain’s response to opioids in a living system.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Insights from this work could help identify brain gene regulators linked to opioid use disorders, guiding future therapies or personalized risk assessments.
How similar studies have gone: This approach builds on prior MPRA work and aims to extend it to in vivo brain tissue in a substance-use context, with promising potential per past high-throughput regulatory assays.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Telese, Francesca — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Telese, Francesca
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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.