Programming DNA elimination in parasitic worms
Official title: Programmed DNA Elimination in Parasitic Nematodes
Funded at University of Tennessee Knoxville · NIH-11446234 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to understand how certain parasitic worms remove parts of their DNA during development, which could reveal new ways to fight infections in children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tennessee Knoxville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Knoxville, United States) |
| Project start | September 24, 2020 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $458,424 |
| NIH project number | 2R01AI155588-06A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11446234 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not directly required for participation; findings could inform future diagnostics or treatments for children affected by Ascaris or Toxocara infections.
✕Less likely to help
This grant does not involve enrolling patients or collecting patient data directly.
What this research studies
Researchers will use lab models of Ascaris and related parasites to uncover how DNA elimination works, including how breaks, healing, and genome reorganization happen. The work looks at how germline genes get silenced in somatic cells and how chromosomal changes relate to this process. Findings may reveal fundamental biology of parasites and potential targets for therapies or diagnostics. The project combines molecular biology with cell biology to map the steps of this unique genome-reorganization event.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of parasite biology could lead to new approaches to prevent or treat infections like ascariasis and toxocariasis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that DNA elimination impacts gene expression and genome structure in these parasites, supporting the potential for meaningful insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tennessee Knoxville
Knoxville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Jianbin — University of Tennessee Knoxville
- Study coordinator: Wang, Jianbin
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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.