Understanding how genetic parasites evade host defenses
Official title: Transposon strategies to escape host silencing
Funded at Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. · NIH-11030858 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how certain genetic elements, known as transposable elements, can copy themselves inside our cells without being stopped by the body's defenses, and it aims to understand how these elements affect our health and diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Piscataway, United States) |
| Project start | February 7, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $509,810 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM152168-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11030858 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with genetic disorders linked to transposable elements or those at risk of such conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to genetic mutations or transposable elements may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how transposable elements (TEs), which are genetic parasites, manage to replicate within host cells without being silenced by the host's defenses. The study focuses on the evolutionary arms race between TEs and their hosts, exploring how TEs adapt to escape silencing mechanisms. By identifying the strategies TEs use to thrive in vulnerable cell types, the research aims to uncover the impact of these elements on host health and disease states.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into genetic disorders and potential therapeutic strategies for diseases caused by genetic mutations.
How similar studies have gone: While the study of transposable elements is ongoing, the specific strategies of TE evasion being investigated are relatively novel and have not been extensively studied.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
Piscataway, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ellison, Christopher Eugene — Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
- Study coordinator: Ellison, Christopher Eugene
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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.