Understanding and Designing Proteins that Read Our Genes
Mechanistic Investigation and Engineering of Histone Reader Proteins
This research looks at how certain proteins in our bodies read genetic signals, which can play a part in various diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11126730 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our genes are packaged in structures called chromatin, and small changes to these structures, called histone modifications, help control how genes are turned on or off. Proteins called 'reader proteins' detect these changes and influence important biological processes, sometimes leading to disease. This project aims to create new tools to better understand how these reader proteins work and how they detect these genetic signals. We will also develop ways to design special proteins that can precisely sense or introduce these genetic changes, helping us learn more about their role in health and disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve patients, but future studies building on this work may seek individuals with diseases linked to gene regulation.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment options for specific conditions will not directly benefit from this early-stage laboratory work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to detect diseases and develop more targeted treatments by understanding how these genetic signals are read.
How similar studies have performed: This project focuses on developing novel chemical biology tools and approaches to understand complex biological mechanisms that are not yet fully explored.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Waters, Marcey L — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Waters, Marcey L
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.