Exploring the genomes of sea stars and related marine animals.
Official title: Mining Information from Echinoderm Genomes and the Scientific Literature
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-11304885 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at the genetic makeup of sea stars and sea urchins to learn more about how they live and evolve, which could eventually help us make new discoveries that benefit people in areas like environmental health and biotechnology.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $111,007 |
| NIH project number | 7P41HD095831-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11304885 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for potential benefit include individuals interested in marine biology, environmental health, or biotechnology advancements.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to marine biology or environmental health may not receive any direct benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the genetic information of echinoderms, such as sea stars and sea urchins, to uncover insights into their biology and evolution. By analyzing their genomes and existing scientific literature, the project aims to enhance our understanding of these unique marine organisms. Patients may benefit indirectly through advancements in marine biology that could lead to new discoveries in related fields, such as environmental health or biotechnology. The methodology involves genomic sequencing and bioinformatics to extract meaningful data from the genetic material.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to breakthroughs in understanding marine ecosystems and their impact on human health.
How similar studies have gone: While research on echinoderm genomes is ongoing, this specific approach may be novel and untested in its comprehensive analysis of both genomic data and scientific literature.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hinman, Veronica Frances — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Hinman, Veronica Frances
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.