Understanding DNA Changes in Our Cells
Official title: Mechanistic Insights into Mammalian DNA Methylation
Funded at University of California Riverside · NIH-11369541 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores how DNA changes in our cells can lead to conditions like cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Riverside NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Riverside, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2016 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $89,474 |
| NIH project number | 3R35GM119721-10S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11369541 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research does not directly involve patient participation, but future studies building on this work might seek patients with conditions related to aberrant DNA methylation, such as certain cancers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients seeking immediate treatment options or direct clinical intervention would not benefit from this basic science research.
What this research studies
This research aims to understand a fundamental process in our bodies called DNA methylation, which is like a switch that turns genes on or off. When this process doesn't work correctly, it can cause problems such as unstable DNA and the silencing of important genes that protect us from cancer. The team is focusing on specific enzymes, called DNMTs, that are responsible for establishing and maintaining these DNA changes. By studying how these enzymes work and how they are regulated within our cells, we hope to uncover the basic mechanisms that contribute to various human diseases. This deeper understanding could pave the way for new ways to address these conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide fundamental knowledge about how DNA methylation contributes to diseases like cancer, potentially leading to new strategies for prevention or treatment.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific mechanisms of DNA methylation are still being uncovered, the general field of epigenetics and its role in disease is well-established and has seen significant advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Riverside
Riverside, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Song, Jikui — University of California Riverside
- Study coordinator: Song, Jikui
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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.