Federal Grant Award Summary

The Klocko Laboratory at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) received a Project Grant of $325,938 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 May 31, 2031. The award funds fundamental research into genome organization and function in fungi, specifically utilizing Neurospora crassa as a model organism to understand how eukaryotic genomes are precisely organized within cell nuclei. The research investigates the mechanisms underlying the segregation and formation of heterochromatin and euchromatin, epigenetic factors affecting genome organization, and how chromatin composition impacts gene expression and genome function.

This basic research initiative directly addresses critical gaps in understanding genome organization applicable to human disease, particularly how genome disorder can lead to aberrant gene expression and oncogenic tumor formation. By employing Neurospora crassa—a genetically tractable fungal model with epigenetic regulation and chromatin properties similar to humans—the laboratory can conduct cost-efficient, high-resolution genomic studies while also advancing understanding of chromatin properties in fungal pathogens affecting human health. The five-year project supports investigator-initiated biomedical research consistent with NIGMS's mission to establish the foundation for advances in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention through enhanced understanding of fundamental biological processes.