Exploring how environmental toxins affect heart and ovarian health
Official title: Identifying critical mediators of ovarian and cardiovascular health
Funded at Brown University · NIH-11070319 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a harmful chemical called TCDD might affect young people's heart and reproductive health, with the goal of finding better ways to treat heart disease and infertility.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | April 10, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $118,661 |
| NIH project number | 5K99ES036311-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11070319 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include women over 21 years old who have experienced infertility or heart health issues potentially related to environmental toxin exposure.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of exposure to environmental toxins or those without heart or ovarian health concerns may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of environmental contaminants, specifically 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), on both ovarian and cardiovascular health. It aims to understand how exposure to TCDD during youth can lead to heart disease and infertility by examining the interactions between these two systems. The study will utilize advanced techniques like single-cell sequencing to identify the cellular and molecular effects of TCDD on the heart and ovary. By uncovering these mechanisms, the research seeks to provide insights that could lead to better treatments for heart disease and infertility.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for individuals suffering from heart disease and infertility linked to environmental toxin exposure.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that environmental toxins can adversely affect health, but this study's focus on the interplay between ovarian and cardiovascular health is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Brown University
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kossack, Michelle — Brown University
- Study coordinator: Kossack, Michelle
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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.