Understanding how DNA changes affect genome-regulating genes like BRG1
Official title: Advancing Genomic Interpretation for Chromatin Remodeling Enzymes
Funded at Medical College of Wisconsin · NIH-11399808 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are building new ways to interpret how genetic mutations impact diseases by studying how genome-regulating proteins work in 3D and in different body tissues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $390,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM153740-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11399808 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with rare germline SMARCA4-related conditions, cancers, or other diseases linked to epigenetic regulation may be eligible for future studies or related trials.
✕Less likely to help
Some individuals without SMARCA4-related conditions or related tissue-contexts may not directly benefit from this basic research.
What this research studies
This project aims to develop tools that predict which genetic changes cause disease by considering three-dimensional structure and context. It focuses on epigenetic enzymes, especially the chromatin remodeler SMARCA4 (BRG1), which helps control gene activity during development and in many tissues. The work will examine how SMARCA4 mutations contribute to rare diseases and cancer, across diverse populations and tissue types. By understanding SMARCA4’s role in different contexts, the team hopes to improve diagnosis and enable more precise therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from better genetic diagnoses and more targeted treatment strategies based on how mutations affect genome regulation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that integrating 3D genome information can improve interpretation of mutations, with substantial but still evolving impact.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zimmermann, Michael T — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Zimmermann, Michael T
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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.