Creating a human yolk sac model to study early pregnancy development
Official title: Stem cell-based 3D model of human yolk sac for experimental interrogations
Funded at University of Hawaii at Manoa · NIH-11120538 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating a 3D model of the human yolk sac using special stem cells to better understand how different factors can impact early embryo development and health, which could help improve outcomes for pregnancies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Hawaii at Manoa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Honolulu, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $156,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R03HD118276-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11120538 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women in early pregnancy or those with a history of complications during the first trimester.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those in later stages of pregnancy may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a three-dimensional model of the human yolk sac using pluripotent stem cells. The yolk sac is crucial for early embryo development, providing essential nutrients and supporting blood cell formation during the first trimester. By creating this model, researchers hope to investigate how various environmental and genetic factors can affect yolk sac function and, consequently, embryo health. This approach will allow for more accurate studies compared to traditional animal models, which do not fully replicate human conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and prevention of complications in early pregnancy, improving outcomes for both mothers and embryos.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been successful studies using animal models, this approach to create a human-specific yolk sac model is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Marikawa, Yusuke — University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Study coordinator: Marikawa, Yusuke
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Using laser technology to improve anal cancer screening for HIV-positive patients
This study is testing a new, gentle way to check for anal dysplasia in people with HIV, using a special laser technique that could make screenings easier and more comfortable than the usual methods.
-
Predicting microbial virulence from genome sequences with language models
A research project aims to use advanced AI models trained on genetic sequences to predict how dangerous different microbes might be, helping doctors and public health teams respond more quickly.
-
Early sensory development and language in infants/toddlers at risk for autism
A family-friendly study exploring how early sensory responses relate to language development in young children who have siblings with autism.
-
Ola Hawaii Research Capacity Core: strengthening health research resources
A national-level core facility at the University of Hawaii at Manoa helps researchers do health-related studies by providing high-quality data, biostatistics, clinical research support, and community engagement resources.
-
Personalized nutrition tools using mobile and image-based methods
This grant supports creating and validating mobile and image-based dietary tools to better connect dietary data with cancer and chronic disease outcomes for people across diverse populations.
-
PILI ‘Āina: Gardened foods, culturally rooted health for Native Hawaiian adults
A community program helps overweight Native Hawaiian adults eat healthier, lose weight, and lower heart-disease risk through culturally tailored education and at-home gardening.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.