Understanding how enhancers control gene activity in cancer cells
Official title: Dynamics and mechanisms of long-range enhancer activity
Funded at Massachusetts Institute of Technology · NIH-11070450 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain parts of our DNA, called enhancers, help turn genes on and off in cancer cells, especially focusing on the MYC gene, to better understand how we might treat cancer in the future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | May 12, 2025 |
| Project end | May 11, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $75,052 |
| NIH project number | 1F32GM154393-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11070450 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with lung or endometrial cancers that may be influenced by MYC enhancer activity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers unrelated to MYC or those not expressing the relevant enhancers may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of enhancers, which are regulatory sequences that control when and where genes are activated, particularly in cancer cells. By using advanced imaging techniques, the study aims to visualize how these enhancers interact with genes over large distances in living cells. The focus is on the MYC gene, which is often overexpressed in certain cancers due to enhancer clusters. The findings could provide insights into the mechanisms of gene regulation and potential therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for targeting gene regulation in cancer therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding enhancer functions, but this specific approach using live-cell imaging is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hong, Clarice Kit Yee — Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Hong, Clarice Kit Yee
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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.