Federal Project Grant Award Summary

Columbia University's Health Sciences Division received a $446,876 Project Grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) under the Biomedical Research and Research Training program (CFDA 93.859), awarded February 6, 2026, with completion targeted for January 31, 2031. The award funds fundamental research investigating the dynamic interplay between three-dimensional genome organization and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) molecules in regulating gene expression during multicellular development and homeostasis. The research employs innovative single-cell live imaging approaches and will be conducted in Drosophila embryo models to elucidate how long-range chromosomal interactions are established, how lncRNAs function within long-range regulatory frameworks and exploit genome organization, and conversely, how lncRNAs control genome organization itself.

The project delivers scientific advancement by identifying novel regulatory mechanisms that govern temporal gene expression dynamics, with particular focus on understanding "tethering elements" that facilitate specific long-range interactions critical to rapid gene activation during developmental processes. The research addresses fundamental gaps in understanding the molecular determinants of genome organization and functional roles of the vast majority of known lncRNAs that remain uncharacterized, thereby advancing the foundational knowledge base required for future innovations in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.