Federal Grant Award Summary

The Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology received a $591,549 Project Grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) under the Biomedical Research and Research Training program (CFDA 93.859), effective June 1, 2026 through March 31, 2031. The award funds fundamental molecular biology research investigating the control of transcriptional integrity through the Integrator complex and PP2A phosphatase. The research focuses on understanding RNA Polymerase II (RNAPII) pausing mechanisms and pause-release regulation, with particular emphasis on how disease-associated mutations in PP2A phosphatase alter transcriptional elongation patterns.

The research deliverables include three primary investigations: determining how the INT-PP2A module establishes paused RNAPII through the INTS3 subunit; evaluating the role of PP2A carboxy-methylation in transcriptional regulation; and assessing the effects of mutant PP2A on transcription in neuronal differentiation models. This basic research initiative aims to advance understanding of fundamental biological processes underlying gene expression regulation, with potential applications to disease diagnosis and treatment development across multiple therapeutic areas.