Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) awarded $489,500 to the Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855) on February 5, 2026, for a project period extending through January 31, 2028. The award supports fundamental research to elucidate the molecular mechanisms governing non-canonical microRNA-146a (mir-146a) biogenesis and its role in inflammatory regulation and immune homeostasis. The research project investigates how aberrant inflammation contributes to autoimmune disease and cancer development, with specific focus on identifying post-transcriptional pathways that control mir-146a production through protein synthesis machinery, including the tRNA (transfer ribonucleic acid) synthetase EPRS1 and related regulatory factors.

The project deliverables consist of novel scientific findings characterizing the regulatory axis linking mir-146a biogenesis to inflammatory control, advancing understanding of immunomodulatory mechanisms relevant to treating inflammatory disorders. Research activities encompass biochemical characterization of mir-146a processing pathways, identification of protein binding factors affecting mir-146a maturation, and mechanistic studies of how disrupted mir-146a expression contributes to systemic autoimmunity and hematologic malignancies. The work will be conducted at the Beckman Research Institute's facility in Irwindale, California, contributing to NIAID's mission to support investigator-initiated biomedical research addressing gaps in understanding infectious, immunologic, and allergic disease mechanisms.