New ways to map the full scope of the epigenome and epitranscriptome
Official title: Novel approaches to improve comprehensive profiling of the epigenome and epitranscriptome
Funded at University of California Santa Cruz · NIH-11326823 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist team at UC Santa Cruz is refining long‑read sequencing methods to create a more complete map of how our DNA and RNA are regulated, which could help understand diseases linked to gene regulation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Santa Cruz NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Santa Cruz, United States) |
| Project start | August 18, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $446,066 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM138122-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11326823 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Researchers and clinicians who study diseases influenced by epigenetic and RNA modifications.
✕Less likely to help
This grant does not involve recruiting patients as participants; benefits are indirect through scientific advances.
What this research studies
This project builds on advances in long‑read sequencing to profile both epigenetic marks and RNA modifications across the genome. The team will optimize methods to detect full-length RNA isoforms, edits, and modifications from single molecules, and test chromatin accessibility with a membrane‑permeable compound. They will apply these approaches in yeast models and then translate the insights toward human tissue samples with low input material. The work emphasizes benchmarking and comparing methods to ensure reliable, comprehensive profiling that could inform future diagnostics and therapies. Overall, the goal is to deepen our understanding of how gene regulation goes awry in disease by mapping the epigenome and epitranscriptome more fully.”
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from better understanding of disease-related gene regulation, which may lead to improved diagnostics and personalized therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous methods have shown promise, and this project aims to enhance accuracy and applicability to low‑input samples, which is a logical next step.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brooks, Angela Norie — University of California Santa Cruz
- Study coordinator: Brooks, Angela Norie
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.