Understanding how DNA motifs choreograph gene starting points
Official title: Deciphering Regulatory Syntax: The Interplay of Core Promoter and Transcription Factor Motifs in Gene Transcription
Funded at Cornell University · NIH-11432347 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at Cornell will explore how specific DNA motifs and their arrangement control where human genes begin transcribing, using computer models to interpret these rules.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cornell University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ithaca, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $482,612 |
| NIH project number | 1R01GM166347-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11432347 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to a specific patient group in this grant; findings relate to fundamental gene regulation in humans.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient benefit is not the primary aim of this computational study.
What this research studies
Researchers will examine how cis-regulatory motifs and transcription factors work together to set transcription start sites in human DNA, using CLIPNET and other computational tools. The project treats DNA sequences like language, where motif order and position influence gene activity. By applying advanced interpretation methods, the team aims to reveal general rules that govern transcription initiation at many human cis-regulatory elements. The work could illuminate how genes are turned on in health and disease and guide future experiments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to clearer understanding of how genes are controlled, informing disease research and potentially guiding new therapeutic approaches.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests that motif grammar influences transcription, but generalizable rules remain limited and this project seeks to expand that understanding.
Where this research is happening
-
Cornell University
Ithaca, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Danko, Charles Grahe — Cornell University
- Study coordinator: Danko, Charles Grahe
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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.