NIH-funded research R01 grant

Exploring how the aryl hydrocarbon receptor interacts with various chemicals

Official title: Understanding the origins and mechanisms of aryl hydrocarbon receptor promiscuity

Funded at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution · NIH-11001840 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at a protein called AHR that helps our bodies deal with harmful substances from the environment, and it's for anyone interested in how this protein affects our health and development.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Woods Hole, United States)
Project startMarch 9, 2023
Project endDecember 31, 2027
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$494,631
NIH project number5R01ES035261-03
Project IDNIH-11001840 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals exposed to environmental toxins or those with conditions influenced by the immune system and metabolic processes.

Less likely to help

Patients who are not exposed to environmental toxins or do not have related health conditions may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a protein that plays a crucial role in how our bodies respond to environmental toxins and other substances. By examining how AHR interacts with a wide range of chemicals, including pollutants and dietary compounds, the research aims to uncover the mechanisms behind its diverse functions in health and disease. The approach involves innovative molecular studies to understand the structure and function of AHR, which could lead to insights into its role in various physiological processes such as immunity and development.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of how environmental exposures affect health, potentially leading to better prevention and treatment strategies for related diseases.

How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding the roles of similar receptors in health and disease, indicating that this approach has potential for meaningful insights.

Where this research is happening

  • Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
    Woods Hole, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Hahn, Mark E — Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
  • Study coordinator: Hahn, Mark E

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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  • Early-life algal toxin effects on the developing brain

    Researchers are looking at how low-level exposure to algal bloom toxins during childhood and young adulthood may change brain cells and behavior.

    NIH research Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution · Woods Hole, United States · NIH-11360101

  • Environmental drivers of toxic algal blooms and shellfish toxin risk

    Researchers are building models to predict when toxic algae will bloom and how people who eat shellfish or live near the coast might be exposed to toxins.

    NIH research Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution · Woods Hole, United States · NIH-11360099

  • Preventing harmful algal bloom exposure in coastal communities

    This program helps coastal residents, seafood harvesters, educators, and local clinicians reduce exposure to toxic algal blooms through better monitoring, education, and data sharing.

    NIH research Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution · Woods Hole, United States · NIH-11360097

  • Protecting people from harmful ocean algal toxins

    This project works to improve detection and prediction of toxic algal blooms so coastal communities and seafood consumers face less risk of shellfish poisoning.

    NIH research Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution · Woods Hole, United States · NIH-11360094

  • How environmental chemicals affect RNA modifications in developing embryos

    This study looks at how certain environmental chemicals, especially dioxins, might change a specific part of RNA in developing fish embryos, which could help us understand how these chemicals might affect growth and development in animals, including humans.

    NIH research Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution · Woods Hole, United States · NIH-10647294

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.