# Characterizing the comprehensive gene regulatory basis of autoimmunity.

> **NIH NIH F32** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2021 · $63,737

## Abstract

Project Summary
Enhancers are fundamental gene regulatory elements with critical roles in development and disease, and yet
relatively little is known about how enhancers themselves are regulated. What are the upstream gene pathways
important for activating enhancers? Which proteins bind to an enhancer and modulate proximal gene
expression? How do these regulatory factors affect complex phenotypes? While large-scale efforts such as the
Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) Consortium have made laudable progress towards a compendium
of enhancers, we lack the tools necessary to understand enhancer regulation, and more broadly, its role in
disease.
To address this critical shortcoming, I will first develop a new, high-throughput method — a trans massively
parallel reporter assay or transMPRA — that can address current limitations of identifying protein-regulatory
element interactions in a scalable manner. I will then apply transMPRA, along with other high-throughput
genomics assays and multimodal data analysis, to reveal the comprehensive gene-regulatory basis of
autoimmunity. I anticipate that this new method together with findings from its initial application will have broad
implications toward understanding the role of gene regulation in complex traits including human autoimmune
disorders.
In addition to my research proposal, I will undergo a fellowship training plan that continues to refine my skills as
a researcher and active contributor to the science community. The proposed research and fellowship training
plan will take place in the labs of my sponsor and co-sponsor, Dr. Jay Shendure and Dr. Cole Trapnell, in the
Department of Genome Sciences at University of Washington. I specifically chose my advisors and institution
because they have an outstanding track record of performing cutting edge research and training the next
generation of science thought leaders.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10231450
- **Project number:** 1F32HG011817-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Diego Calderon
- **Activity code:** F32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $63,737
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-16 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10231450

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10231450, Characterizing the comprehensive gene regulatory basis of autoimmunity. (1F32HG011817-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-01 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10231450. Licensed CC0.

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