# RNA-based tools for developmental and regenerative biology

> **NIH NIH R21** · EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $97,011

## Abstract

Project Summary
RNA-based technologies have enabled perturbation and observation of gene function in multicellular
organisms, resulting in major discoveries in biomedical research. However, gaining mechanistic insights
into developmental and regenerative processes requires the manipulation of gene functions with spatial and
temporal precision, a task that remains a major challenge in vertebrate animal models. The overall goal of
this exploratory technology development proposal is to develop an innovative and widely applicable
molecular toolset, which will enable control of gene expression with spatial and temporal precision.
Specifically, we will introduce a new class of versatile RNA-based genetic conditional switches to regulate
translation within the developing zebrafish. In our first aim, we will develop RNA switches that are controlled
through non-invasive administration of non-toxic small molecules. These chemically-induced switches
enable dynamic, titratable, and conditional control of a target gene. We will establish a rapid mammalian-
based prototyping platform to prioritize ideal switch candidates for development in the zebrafish model. In
our second aim, we will establish a conceptually new optogenetic switch that can be turned on and off using
blue light. These novel tools will be developed in zebrafish and benchmarked against existing optogenetic
tools including light-activated transcriptional tools. The successful execution of this project will provide a
streamlined pipeline to develop new RNA switches that respond to a diversity of orthogonal non-invasive
inputs. Given the species-independent machinery, the toolkit of RNA switches developed are likely to be
broadly applicable to animal models. By specifically focusing the development of the switches in zebrafish,
we will we will contribute a new approach to reprogram and interrogate developmental and regenerative
biology.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10825656
- **Project number:** 7R21GM143565-03
- **Recipient organization:** EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Karen Mruk
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $97,011
- **Award type:** 7
- **Project period:** 2021-09-01 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10825656

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10825656, RNA-based tools for developmental and regenerative biology (7R21GM143565-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10825656. Licensed CC0.

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