New ways to detect mosaic chromosome changes
Novel methods for detection of mosaic chromosomal alterations
This project develops lab and computer methods to find large chromosome changes that can appear in blood, kidney, and other tissues, especially in aging-related diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11184492 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will combine single-cell sequencing and ATAC-seq lab methods with new computational algorithms to find mosaic chromosomal alterations (mCA) that exist in only a small fraction of cells. They will apply these methods to blood and kidney samples and explore whether mCA are present in other non-cancer tissues. The team will also work on locating mCA within tissue slices to understand where altered cells sit in the organ. By focusing on non-clonal and hard-to-detect events, the project aims to uncover chromosome changes missed by cancer-focused tools.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults who can provide blood or kidney tissue samples, especially older adults or people with kidney, heart, or related conditions.
Not a fit: People without available tissue samples or whose conditions are unrelated to mosaic chromosomal alterations are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these methods could make it easier to detect hidden chromosome changes that contribute to aging, kidney disease, heart disease, and cancer, helping guide future diagnosis and research.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has successfully detected mCA in blood and more recently in kidney using single-cell sequencing, but applying tailored lab assays and algorithms to non-cancer tissues is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wilson, Parker C. — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Wilson, Parker C.
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.