Epigenetic control of retrotransposons and male fertility in mice
Official title: Research Project 4: Epigenetic Regulation of Retrotransposon Silencing and Male Fertility in the Mouse
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11357674 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how male fertility in mice is tied to the way their genome keeps retrotransposons in check through epigenetic changes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2011 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $271,751 |
| NIH project number | 5P50HD068157-13 |
| Project ID | NIH-11357674 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with or at risk for male infertility related to germ cell chromatin regulation issues, or researchers and clinicians seeking deeper knowledge of sperm development.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without issues in germ cell epigenetic regulation are unlikely to directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how germ cells in mice reprogram their genome to silence retrotransposons, focusing on TEX15 and its partners to understand how chromatin factors shape this process. The study uses methods like ATAC-seq and ChIP-seq to map chromatin states and protein interactions during germ cell development. By linking epigenetic regulation to proper sperm formation, the work aims to explain causes of male sterility when silencing fails.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A better understanding of how germ cells safeguard the genome could lead to new insights into male infertility and potential fertility-preserving strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown TEX15 is essential for retrotransposon silencing and proper sperm development, supporting the potential for meaningful findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Peijing Jeremy — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Wang, Peijing Jeremy
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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.