Unlocking the full power of long-read DNA sequencing for biology
Official title: Realizing the potential of long-read sequencing technology
Funded at University of California Santa Cruz · NIH-11373551 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project aims to make long-read DNA sequencing easier and more useful so scientists can map complete transcriptomes and run high-quality sequencing in more labs, including those with smaller budgets.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Santa Cruz NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Santa Cruz, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2019 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $432,759 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM133569-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11373551 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Researchers and labs that work with human or mouse tissue and are interested in applying long-read sequencing to study gene expression and isoforms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients are not directly recruited; benefits are indirect through advances in sequencing methods used by research labs.
What this research studies
This grant focuses on improving long-read sequencing technologies from PacBio and ONT and expanding their practical use in biomedical research. The team will create complete isoform-level transcriptomes for human and mouse tissues and cell types to support better understanding of gene and isoform expression. They will also develop an easy-to-use, ultra-accurate sequencing method that works across read lengths, helping more laboratories perform high-quality sequencing without being limited by cost or complexity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from faster, more accurate genetic insights that drive improved diagnostics and personalized medicine.
How similar studies have gone: Past work has shown that long-read sequencing can reveal isoform-level information that short reads miss, and this project seeks to broaden practical use and accessibility.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vollmers, Christopher — University of California Santa Cruz
- Study coordinator: Vollmers, Christopher
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.