Targeting protein–RNA interactions in cancer
Chemical Biology Approaches for Investigating RNA-Protein Interactions
This project develops lab methods to find molecules that can block harmful protein–RNA interactions that contribute to cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11177631 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, scientists are improving a live-cell test called RiPCA to see when and where proteins bind to RNA inside cells. They will use biochemical and cellular assays to screen libraries of small molecules, peptides, and natural products for compounds that disrupt those interactions. Promising hits will be validated in cell-based models to understand their effects on RNA regulation and cancer-related processes. The work is done in the lab and is aimed at producing drug leads and biological insights that could guide future therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project does not directly enroll patients; it is laboratory-based work using cell models and biochemical screens conducted at the University of Michigan.
Not a fit: Patients needing immediate clinical treatment or access to experimental therapies are unlikely to benefit directly from this basic research in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce new drug leads that target RNA-binding proteins and lead to new cancer treatment approaches.
How similar studies have performed: Related approaches have identified molecules that affect RNA–protein interactions in early-stage studies, but translating these findings into approved cancer drugs remains uncommon and is still early-stage.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Garner, Amanda — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Garner, Amanda
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.