# Structure and Function of Immune Gene Regulatory Networks

> **NIH NIH R35** · BOSTON UNIVERSITY (CHARLES RIVER CAMPUS) · 2020 · $412,500

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
 Gene regulatory networks (GRNs) are central to almost all biological processes. Research
in my laboratory focusses on understanding the structure and logic of human GRNs with the
ultimate goal of devising strategies for therapeutic interventions. Current gaps in our
understanding of GRNs include: determining how combinations of transcription factors (TFs)
regulate specific target gene expression patterns, identifying mechanisms by which different
genes are co-regulated to effect a given biological response, determining how GRNs are rewired
in response to environmental cues, and designing strategies to manipulate GRNs to modulate
biological outcomes. Cytokines present an ideal model system to study GRNs because cytokines
genes are highly regulated at the transcriptional level and because this regulation involves a
complex interplay between cell type-specific TFs and TFs activated by different signaling
pathways. In this proposal, we will investigate the structure and regulatory logic of the cytokine
GRN by integrating complementary methods to map protein-DNA interactions, functional
perturbations, and phenotypic characterizations. Further, we will determine the mechanisms by
which virally-encoded TFs perturb the cytokine GRN by determining the targeted cytokine
regulatory regions and targeted host proteins such as TFs, cofactors, and signaling proteins.
Overall, the proposed studies will identify general principles and generate a framework to study
and manipulate GRNs which will ultimately lead to novel strategies impacting human health.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9980455
- **Project number:** 5R35GM128625-03
- **Recipient organization:** BOSTON UNIVERSITY (CHARLES RIVER CAMPUS)
- **Principal Investigator:** Juan Ignacio Fuxman Bass
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $412,500
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-08-01 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9980455

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9980455, Structure and Function of Immune Gene Regulatory Networks (5R35GM128625-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9980455. Licensed CC0.

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