# Epigenomics, RNA and Gene Regulation

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · 2024 · $155,258

## Abstract

EPIGENOMICS, RNA, AND GENE REGULATION RESEARCH PROGRAM (ERGR)
ABSTRACT
The Epigenomics, RNA, and Gene Regulation Research Program (ERGR), led by Michael Carey, PhD
(Program Director) and Siavash Kurdistani, MD (Program Co-Director), is the most basic of the JCCC Research
Programs. Program objectives are to support exceptional JCCC researchers and teams, to ensure ongoing
Program robustness with strategic recruitments and training, and to innovate breakthroughs in gene regulation,
RNA biology, and bioinformatics with impact in cancer. The expectation is that ERGR investigator discoveries
will uncover vulnerabilities for targeting by novel diagnostic and anti-tumor treatment strategies. ERGR
investigators employ a range of model systems, from yeast and plants to cancer cells and small animals, to
elucidate mechanisms of gene regulation, from chromatin and transcription to RNA biology, to understand and
dissect alterations in cancer. Program studies extend to physiological and pathological processes implicated in
cancer including cell differentiation, inflammation, and lipid metabolism. ERGR leads in developing new
technologies and methodologies, such as advanced informatics for high-throughput experimental tools, and
provides expertise to researchers in all six JCCC Research Programs. Although focused on epigenomics and
gene regulatory mechanisms, ERGR strives to translate new knowledge to preclinical and clinical settings, with
Program discoveries underpinning clinical HDAC inhibitor development and cell free DNA diagnostics.
The ERGR Research Program has 33 members drawn from five UCLA schools and partner institution, Caltech,
representing 13 departments. As of March 1, 2019, Program support was $11,256,579 in direct cost funding, of
which $9,904,290 (88%) is peer-reviewed, and $1,031,199 (9%) is NCI funding. Program discoveries resulted in
506 publications during the prior project period, of which 10% were intra-programmatic collaborations, and 19%
were inter-programmatic collaborations. In addition, 271 (54%) Program publications were with external
collaborators and 337 (67%) of publications were in high-impact (IF ≥10, or field leading) journals. As an example,
one achievement in the prior period was enormous strengthening of bioinformatics via recruitment. Scientifically,
studies revealed how a viral oncogene exploits cell machinery to induce cell cycling and simultaneously block
an anti-viral immune response. Additionally, new insights into the metabolic dependencies of stem cell self-
renewal and differentiation informed how such dependencies may provide a permissive environment for
tumorigenesis in the presence of pre-disposing genetic mutations. ERGR investigators cultivate a collegial
environment with many structured opportunities to exchange ideas, research findings, and scientific discussions
amongst Program faculty, postdocs, and students. These interactions help establish valuable collaborations that
raise the quality of Program scie...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10824420
- **Project number:** 5P30CA016042-48
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- **Principal Investigator:** MICHAEL F CAREY
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $155,258
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1996-12-01 → 2025-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10824420

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10824420, Epigenomics, RNA and Gene Regulation (5P30CA016042-48). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10824420. Licensed CC0.

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