NIH-funded research Sbir 2 grant

Scalable single-molecule chromatin accessibility profiling in immune cells

Official title: Scalable, single-molecule and single-cell chromatin accessibility profiling in primary immune cells

Funded at Epicypher, INC. · NIH-11313171 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A new approach aims to map which parts of the genome are accessible and which proteins bind them in immune cells, using advanced sequencing on a scale that could reveal detailed cell-by-cell information.

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 2 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionEpicypher, INC.
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Research Triangle Park, UNITED STATES)
Project startAugust 21, 2026
Project endJuly 31, 2029
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$999,268
NIH project number1R44AI197362-01
Project IDNIH-11313171 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Patients with immune-related conditions or diseases where immune cell regulation is relevant may benefit from improved diagnostics and therapies in the long term.

Less likely to help

Healthy individuals without immune-related conditions may have indirect benefits through advances in basic science and future applications.

What this research studies

This project develops methods to profile chromatin accessibility in immune cells at the level of single molecules and single cells, using long-read sequencing to preserve context. By partnering with experts, it seeks to enable haplotype-specific insights and better understanding of how immune cells develop and respond. The research focuses on creating amplification-friendly long-read methods to study rare cell populations and complex tissues like lymph nodes, with the goal of enabling more precise epigenomic maps. If successful, these tools could help researchers uncover how regulatory elements control immune cell behavior in health and disease.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from more precise understanding of immune cell regulation, potentially informing personalized approaches to immune-related diseases.

How similar studies have gone: Previous chromatin accessibility studies have shown value, and long-read approaches are an emerging area with promising early results.

Where this research is happening

  • Epicypher, INC.
    Research Triangle Park, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Venters, Bryan J — Epicypher, INC.
  • Study coordinator: Venters, Bryan J

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
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Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.