Understanding how gene messages are processed to affect diseases like cancer
Computational and Experimental Modeling of Alternative Polyadenylation
This research explores how a process called alternative polyadenylation, or APA, influences many human genes and contributes to conditions such as cancer, glioblastoma, and lung disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11018594 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies' cells read genetic instructions to make proteins, and a crucial step in this process is how gene messages are finished, known as alternative polyadenylation (APA). This project aims to understand how changes in APA can lead to diseases like cancer by affecting important genes, including those that normally protect us from tumors. We are using advanced computer methods and laboratory experiments to map out these changes and discover how they impact health. By uncovering these fundamental mechanisms, we hope to find new ways to understand and potentially address various human conditions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is relevant to patients with conditions such as glioblastoma, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, neuropsychiatric disorders, and various cancers, as it seeks to understand the underlying genetic mechanisms of these diseases.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate direct treatment or clinical trial participation would not directly benefit from this basic science research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a deeper understanding of how diseases like cancer develop and progress, potentially opening doors for new diagnostic tools or treatment strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work by this research team has already identified a key regulator of APA and a novel mechanism by which APA changes can affect tumor suppressor genes, indicating a strong foundation for this approach.
Where this research is happening
Irvine, United States
- University of California-Irvine — Irvine, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Wei — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Li, Wei
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.