Understanding Gene Activity in the Living Brain
Imaging cell-type-specific transcription in living mammalian brain
This project aims to develop new ways to see how genes work inside the living brain, which could help us understand many brain diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Trustees of Indiana University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bloomington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11169064 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our cells all have the same genes, but how these genes turn on and off varies greatly depending on the cell type and what's happening around it. This process, called transcription, is the first step in gene activity, and problems with it can lead to many diseases. While we know a lot from studying fixed cells, we don't fully understand how gene activity changes dynamically in a living brain as it performs tasks like learning. This project is creating advanced imaging tools to watch gene activity in specific brain cells in real-time, initially in mice, to uncover these dynamic processes. The goal is to develop versatile technology for mapping gene function within the brain.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients at this time, but future studies building on this technology may seek individuals with specific brain conditions.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct clinical intervention for their conditions will not find direct benefit from this early-stage technology development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could provide a deeper understanding of how gene activity goes wrong in various brain diseases, potentially leading to new ways to diagnose or treat them.
How similar studies have performed: The research team has previously developed methods for visualizing gene activity in live mouse brains, building on prior success in this area.
Where this research is happening
Bloomington, United States
- Trustees of Indiana University — Bloomington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lim, Hyungsik — Trustees of Indiana University
- Study coordinator: Lim, Hyungsik
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.