Tracking how cells control gene activity by following newly made RNA
Mechanisms of Transcriptional Control Revealed by Nascent Transcript Sequencing
Researchers are developing new lab tools that follow newly made RNA inside cells to better understand how gene control goes wrong in cancer and other diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11262833 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team will create genome-wide methods that map where RNA polymerase sits on DNA, watch the proteins that bind RNA, and follow newly made RNA as it moves inside the nucleus. They will apply advanced sequencing and single-chromatin-fiber approaches to capture short-lived steps in RNA production that usual methods miss. Results will highlight hidden connections between DNA elements, protein interactions on chromatin, and steps after transcription starts. This work is laboratory-based and may use cancer cell lines or donated patient-derived samples for molecular analysis.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancer who can donate tumor tissue or blood samples for molecular analysis would be the most relevant participants.
Not a fit: People without cancer or those who cannot or choose not to provide tissue or blood samples would not directly benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new molecular points to target in cancer and improve understanding of why genes are misregulated in disease.
How similar studies have performed: Related nascent-RNA sequencing methods have provided important insights into gene regulation, but mapping polymerase and RNA-binding proteins at the single-chromatin-fiber level is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Harvard Medical School — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Churchman, Lee Stirling — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Churchman, Lee Stirling
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.