# Molecular basis and function of specialized nuclear structures in mouse neurons

> **NIH NIH R35** · RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIV OF N.J. · 2022 · $392,500

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Molecular basis and function of alternative nuclear architectures in mouse neurons
Every eukaryotic cell must fold its genome within its nucleus. Microscopy and genomic methods have revealed
regular features of how the genome is packaged and organized that are widely shared by mammalian cells. Our
lab seeks to understand cases where cells bend these rules to instead form unusual structures that achieve a
cell-type specific purpose. Our prior work in mouse olfactory sensory neurons exemplifies such a case. Olfactory
sensory neurons reorganize the DNA in their nucleus to that genes that are off are located in the middle of the
nucleus instead of at the periphery. At the same time, these cells bring together olfactory receptor genes from
different chromosomes in 3D space to form specialized gene hubs. These hubs are unique to olfactory sensory
neurons and govern a critical gene regulatory mechanism that defines the identity of these neurons and is central
to our sense of smell. We seek to determine whether such alternative nuclear architectures are rare outliers or
whether they are more widespread than currently known. We hypothesize that alternative architectures may be
particularly common in the nervous system, where long-lived post-mitotic neurons have a long time to rearrange
their DNA, and that they may be critical to understanding how neurons change in response to stimuli. We will
develop new ways of identifying alternative nuclear architectures that will allow us to identify when and where
they form, and we will use primary mouse neurons from the olfactory system and the spinal cord to explore the
function and regulation of these fascinating structures.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10498896
- **Project number:** 1R35GM146901-01
- **Recipient organization:** RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIV OF N.J.
- **Principal Investigator:** Kevin Monahan
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $392,500
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-08-01 → 2027-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10498896

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10498896, Molecular basis and function of specialized nuclear structures in mouse neurons (1R35GM146901-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10498896. Licensed CC0.

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