Creating human yolk sac models to study early embryo development
Official title: Establishment of yolk sac organoids for developmental toxicity assessment
Funded at University of Hawaii at Manoa · NIH-10989052 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating tiny models of the yolk sac, which helps nourish embryos in early pregnancy, to see how different environmental factors like infections or chemicals might affect embryo health, helping us better understand human development.
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 | September 13, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $156,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R03ES035972-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10989052 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are expectant mothers or those planning to conceive, particularly those concerned about environmental exposures during early pregnancy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or not planning to conceive may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing human yolk sac organoids, which are miniature models of the yolk sac created from human pluripotent stem cells. The yolk sac is crucial for supplying nutrients to the embryo during the first trimester, and understanding its development can help identify harmful environmental factors that may affect embryo health. By using these organoids, researchers aim to investigate how various environmental insults, such as infections or chemical exposures, impact the yolk sac and, consequently, embryo development. This approach allows for a more accurate study of human embryonic development compared to traditional animal models.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and prevention of developmental issues in embryos caused by environmental factors.
How similar studies have gone: While similar approaches using animal models have shown success, this specific method of creating human yolk sac organoids 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.