RNA interference and genome regulation across cells and diseases
Official title: RNA Interference and Heterochromatic Silencing in Replication and Quiescence
Funded at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory · NIH-11377627 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant supports research to understand how RNA interference helps silence genes and keep genome stability, with potential implications for autoimmune diseases and cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cold Spring Harbor, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $435,072 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM144206-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11377627 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with autoimmune diseases or cancers who may benefit from future therapies that restore or modulate genome regulation pathways.
✕Less likely to help
If the specific genome-regulation mechanisms do not translate to human therapies, patients may not experience direct benefit.
What this research studies
The project looks at how RNA interference works beyond its traditional role, focusing on heterochromatin, transcription, and genome integrity in model organisms like fission yeast and nematodes, and how these processes may relate to human disease. Scientists will study how replication, transcription, and RNA-DNA hybrids interact to prevent DNA damage and maintain chromosome stability. The work involves examining histone modifications, protein interactions, and phase separation mechanisms that influence gene silencing. Findings could inform new strategies for treating immune disorders and cancer by targeting genome regulation pathways.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could reveal new targets to maintain genome stability and potentially lead to novel approaches for treating autoimmune diseases and cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in model organisms have shown conserved RNAi-related chromatin regulation, supporting the potential for human relevance, though translation remains to be proven.
Where this research is happening
-
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Cold Spring Harbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Martienssen, Robert a — Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
- Study coordinator: Martienssen, Robert a
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.