Understanding how super-enhancers influence retina development
Official title: The Role of Modular Super-Enhancers in the Developing Murine and Human Retina
Funded at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · NIH-11145775 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain powerful parts of our DNA help shape the retina, which is important for vision, in both mice and humans, and it hopes to find out how changes in these parts might lead to eye diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $596,514 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY036689-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11145775 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with genetic predispositions to retinal diseases or those experiencing unexplained vision problems.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with retinal conditions unrelated to genetic mutations or those who do not have a family history of retinal diseases may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of super-enhancers in the development of the retina in both mice and humans. By mapping the interactions between these large regulatory elements and specific genes, the study aims to uncover how gene expression changes during the formation of different retinal cell types. The researchers utilize advanced techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing and ATAC-seq to analyze chromatin structure and gene regulation at a detailed level. This work could help identify genetic mutations that contribute to retinal diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into the genetic causes of retinal diseases, potentially informing future treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding gene regulation through super-enhancers, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dyer, Michael a — St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
- Study coordinator: Dyer, Michael a
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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.