Understanding how hidden DNA sections affect cell health and disease
Identification and analysis of non-coding loci critical for cell viability and chromatin organization
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · NIH-11080331
This project explores how changes in parts of our DNA that don't directly make proteins can still lead to diseases.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11080331 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Our bodies have vast amounts of DNA that don't contain instructions for making proteins, and scientists are learning that changes in these "non-coding" regions can play a big role in disease. Even parts of this DNA that seem inactive can harbor mutations linked to illness. This work aims to find these hidden, critical DNA sections that affect how our cells function and how our DNA is organized in 3D. By using advanced tools like CRISPR editing and sequencing, we hope to understand how changes in these areas lead to cell problems and disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is relevant to anyone interested in the basic genetic causes of human diseases, particularly those linked to non-coding DNA mutations.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate new treatments or clinical trial opportunities would not directly benefit from this early-stage basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new fundamental ways that genetic changes cause disease, potentially leading to new targets for future treatments.
How similar studies have performed: This project addresses an emerging question about epigenetically quiescent non-coding regions, suggesting a novel approach to understanding disease mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO — LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: WANG, WEI — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- Study coordinator: WANG, 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.