Understanding how TREX1 affects DNA breakdown in cancer and autoimmune diseases
Official title: Mechanisms of cytosolic DNA degradation by TREX1 in cancer and autoimmune disease
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-10823835 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein called TREX1 helps our immune system respond to DNA damage, which could help us understand why some cancers and autoimmune diseases can hide from our body's defenses, and it aims to find ways to improve treatment for patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | July 8, 2024 |
| Project end | July 7, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 1F31AI181473-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10823835 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with cancer or autoimmune diseases, particularly those with conditions linked to TREX1 mutations.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without cancer or autoimmune diseases, or those not affected by genomic instability, may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of TREX1, an enzyme that degrades cytosolic DNA, in the context of cancer and autoimmune diseases. By examining how TREX1 regulates the immune response triggered by genomic instability, the project aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms that allow some cancers to evade immune detection. The study will focus on specific elements of TREX1 and their functions, which could lead to new insights into how DNA damage influences disease processes. Patients may benefit from a better understanding of how their conditions relate to DNA repair mechanisms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating cancers and autoimmune diseases by targeting the mechanisms of DNA degradation.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the immune response to DNA damage, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shim, Abraham — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Shim, Abraham
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.