Understanding how proteins turn genes on and off
Defining the protein sequence features that control transcriptional activation domain function
This project aims to uncover the specific features within proteins that control how genes are activated in our cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Berkeley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Berkeley, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11189777 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our cells have special proteins called transcription factors that act like switches, turning genes on or off. This work explores the parts of these proteins, called activation domains, that bind to other helper proteins to activate genes. We want to understand exactly how these activation domains work, how they have changed over time, and if we can predict their function just by looking at their protein sequence. To do this, we use experiments with human cells and computer models to test different ideas about how these protein parts function.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational biological work does not directly involve patient participation, but future applications could benefit individuals with genetic conditions or diseases related to gene regulation.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical treatments or direct participation in a clinical trial would not find a direct benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A deeper understanding of how genes are turned on could help us better understand and potentially treat many diseases linked to gene expression problems.
How similar studies have performed: While much progress has been made in identifying gene control regions, predicting gene expression from the genome sequence remains a significant challenge, making this a novel and essential area of basic inquiry.
Where this research is happening
Berkeley, United States
- University of California Berkeley — Berkeley, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Staller, Max Valentin — University of California Berkeley
- Study coordinator: Staller, Max Valentin
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.