Understanding how super-enhancers influence retina development

The Role of Modular Super-Enhancers in the Developing Murine and Human Retina

NIH-funded research St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · NIH-11145775

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 typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Memphis, United States)
Project IDNIH-11145775 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with genetic predispositions to retinal diseases or those experiencing unexplained vision problems.

Not a fit: 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.

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 performed: 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

Memphis, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.