Targeting how DNA is folded to control gene activity
Harnessing the chromatin conformational code for epigenetic regulation
Building tiny molecular sensors to read and influence how DNA is packaged in cells, aiming to uncover new ways to treat cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11014654 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project will create conformation-specific protein sensors called NanoNucs that bind distinct shapes of the nucleosome, the spool proteins that package DNA. Researchers will pull these sensors from a synthetic library and test them on purified chromatin and in living cells to observe atomic-scale changes. High-resolution imaging and biochemical tests will be used to link nucleosome shape to gene silencing and chromatin folding, especially where it matters for cancer. The goal is to reveal new molecular behaviors that could become future diagnostic markers or drug targets.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancer who are willing to provide tumor or blood samples for laboratory studies or who want to be considered for related future clinical trials.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate changes to their treatment or people without a cancer diagnosis are unlikely to gain direct clinical benefit from this laboratory-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new biomarkers or targets that lead to better cancer diagnostics or therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Nanobody tools have worked for studying other proteins, but using conformation-specific nanobodies to read nucleosome shape is a novel and experimental approach.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sanulli, Serena — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Sanulli, Serena
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.