Understanding how the genome folds and regulates gene expression
Official title: Deciphering the Stepwise Regulatory Mechanisms of Genome Folding
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11128651 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our genes are organized in 3D space, which is important for how they work in different cells and stages of development, and it aims to find out how problems with this organization might lead to diseases like cancer or developmental disorders, using advanced techniques to watch how a special protein helps with this folding in living cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $388,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM155096-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11128651 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with cancers or developmental disorders that may be linked to gene expression dysregulation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to gene regulation or those not experiencing any developmental disorders or cancers may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind how the genome folds in three-dimensional space, which is crucial for regulating gene expression in different cell types and developmental stages. By studying the interactions between distant regulatory elements called enhancers and gene promoters, the research aims to uncover how disruptions in genome folding can lead to diseases like cancer and developmental disorders. The approach involves advanced genomic techniques and imaging to observe the behavior of the cohesin complex, a key player in genome folding, in living cells. This understanding could provide insights into both healthy and diseased states.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for diagnosing and treating cancers and developmental disorders by targeting the mechanisms of gene regulation.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding genome folding and its implications for gene regulation, indicating that this approach is building on established findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Wonho — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Kim, Wonho
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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.