Understanding how RNA polymerases change shape during their function
Official title: Theory and Modeling of Functional Conformational Changes of RNA Polymerases
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11136260 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how certain proteins in our cells change shape during the process of making RNA, which can sometimes cause problems like errors in building genetic material, especially in diseases like skin cancer and tuberculosis, and it aims to find better ways to help antibiotics work against bacterial infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $344,380 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM147652-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11136260 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients suffering from tuberculosis or skin cancer, particularly those whose conditions may be influenced by RNA polymerase activity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to RNA polymerase function or those not affected by antibiotic treatments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the conformational changes of RNA polymerases, which are essential for the transcription process in cells. It focuses on how these changes can lead to issues such as misincorporation of nucleotides and transcriptional stalling, particularly in the context of diseases like skin cancer and tuberculosis. By developing new computational methods to model these changes, the research aims to provide insights into how antibiotics can effectively target bacterial RNA polymerases. Patients may benefit from improved antibiotic treatments as a result of this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective antibiotics for treating tuberculosis and potentially other conditions related to RNA polymerase dysfunction.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in using computational modeling to understand biomolecular dynamics, indicating that this approach has potential for significant breakthroughs.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huang, Xuhui — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Huang, Xuhui
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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.