Tools to study how cancer changes genes' on/off switches
Functional Epigenetics Core
This program builds lab and computer tools to map how cancer flips genes on and off to help researchers develop better treatments for people with cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11198070 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's view, this program provides laboratory assays and computational analyses that read the epigenome—the chemical switches that control genes—in cancer cells. It uses methods like ATAC-seq and single-cell sequencing to profile the genome-wide and cell-by-cell patterns of gene regulation. The core processes samples, runs experiments, and applies advanced algorithms to separate meaningful signals from noise. Results are shared with linked cancer projects to guide new biomarkers and potential treatment targets.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with cancer whose tumor samples can be submitted to participating research projects or who want to donate tissue for genomic studies.
Not a fit: People without cancer or those not linked to the research projects supported by this core are unlikely to benefit directly from this funding.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new biomarkers and treatment targets that lead to more precise cancer therapies and better diagnostics.
How similar studies have performed: Techniques like ATAC-seq and single-cell epigenomic profiling have already helped researchers uncover cancer mechanisms, and this core aims to expand and standardize those successful methods.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Long, Henry W. — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Long, Henry W.
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.