Understanding abnormal DNA methylation in cancer for better diagnosis and treatment
Official title: Research Specialist Support- Establishing and Interpreting Abnormal DNA Methylation in Cancer
Funded at Van Andel Research Institute · NIH-11411292 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are building tools and skills to study how chemical marks on DNA influence cancer, with the goal of improving how we understand and treat the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Van Andel Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Grand Rapids, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2019 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $166,080 |
| NIH project number | 5R50CA243878-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11411292 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with cancer or at-risk populations whose cancers involve epigenetic changes may benefit from advances stemming from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose cancers do not involve epigenetic alterations or who do not access genomic-based diagnostics may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project supports Dr. Minmin Liu’s growth as a research specialist in a cancer epigenetics program led by Dr. Peter Jones. It combines wet-lab experiments with next-generation sequencing and computational analysis to explore how DNA methylation changes contribute to cancer, including examining DNMT3A2 and de novo methylation in chromatin. The work aims to identify new epigenetic modifiers and understand their roles in tumor development, using modern genomic and bioinformatics approaches. The findings could help scientists develop more precise diagnostics and therapies for cancer patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could improve understanding of cancer epigenetics, potentially leading to better biomarkers and personalized treatment strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in cancer epigenetics has shown that DNA methylation patterns can influence tumor behavior, supporting confidence in this line of research.
Where this research is happening
-
Van Andel Research Institute
Grand Rapids, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Minmin — Van Andel Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Liu, Minmin
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.