Understanding RNA Changes in Cancer
Development of A Directed Evolution Platform for RNA Methyltransferases.
This research aims to create new tools to better understand how a specific chemical change in RNA, called m6A, contributes to different types of cancer, including breast cancer and leukemia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chestnut Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11142460 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies' cells have messenger RNA (mRNA) that carries instructions for making proteins, and a common chemical tag called m6A helps control these instructions. We know that problems with m6A can play a big role in how cancers like acute myeloid leukemia and breast cancer develop, resist treatment, and spread. Currently, it's hard to pinpoint exactly which m6A changes are important in specific genes because our existing tools affect many genes at once. This project will develop a new way to precisely add m6A tags to specific RNA messages, helping us uncover their exact functions in cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with cancers like acute myeloid leukemia, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, or glioblastoma may eventually benefit from the insights gained from this foundational research.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate new treatments or direct clinical trial participation would not find direct benefit from this early-stage tool development project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a much clearer understanding of how m6A changes drive cancer, potentially opening doors for new ways to diagnose or treat these diseases.
How similar studies have performed: While the overall concept of RNA modification in cancer is an active area, this project focuses on developing novel, more precise tools to overcome current limitations in understanding specific m6A functions.
Where this research is happening
Chestnut Hill, United States
- Boston College — Chestnut Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhou, Huiqing — Boston College
- Study coordinator: Zhou, Huiqing
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 below.