An OvaryChip to find harmful chemicals for ovaries

An ovary-on-a-chip to identify ovarian toxicity

['FUNDING_R01'] · RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES · NIH-11369456

This project uses a special "OvaryChip" to discover which chemicals might harm a woman's ovaries and lead to infertility or hormonal problems.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorRUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES (nih funded)
Locations1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11369456 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Many everyday chemicals and medicines can harm a woman's ovaries, potentially causing early ovarian failure, hormone imbalances, and difficulty getting pregnant. Currently, it's hard to test all these chemicals for their effects on the ovaries. Our team has created a miniature "OvaryChip" that acts like a real human ovary, showing how follicles grow, hormones are made, and eggs mature. We are now working to make this chip faster and more efficient to test many chemicals quickly. This will help us understand how environmental toxins affect ovarian health.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This research is foundational and does not directly involve patient participation, but it aims to benefit women concerned about ovarian health, infertility, and hormonal imbalances caused by environmental factors.

Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct clinical intervention will not receive benefit from this foundational research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify harmful chemicals that affect ovarian health, potentially leading to better protection for women's fertility and hormonal balance.

How similar studies have performed: The researchers have previously developed an OvaryChip that successfully mimics human ovarian function, providing a strong foundation for this accelerated testing approach.

Where this research is happening

Newark, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.