Understanding how non-coding genetic variants influence autoimmune diseases in immune cells
Official title: Systematic characterization of trait-associated non-coding genetic variants across cellular states
Funded at Benaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason · NIH-11594141 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A researcher is studying how non-coding genetic differences affect immune cell behavior to help better prevent and treat autoimmune diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Benaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 3, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $96,902 |
| NIH project number | 3R01HG014361-01A1S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11594141 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with autoimmune diseases or at-risk populations who could benefit from future targeted treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals without autoimmune risk may not directly benefit from this study.
What this research studies
This project focuses on identifying which non-coding genetic variants actually drive autoimmune disease risk and how they alter gene activity in immune cells. Using advanced genomic tools, the team will map causal variants in accessible chromatin and test their effects in T cells with MPRA-like approaches. The ultimate goal is to connect specific variants to changes in immune cell function that contribute to disease, paving the way for targeted therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Results could reveal new targets for therapies that modify immune cell behavior to reduce or prevent autoimmune disease activity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that many autoimmune variants affect gene regulation in T cells, supporting this approach as promising.
Where this research is happening
-
Benaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ray, John Philip — Benaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason
- Study coordinator: Ray, John Philip
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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.