Finding genes behind male infertility
Official title: Search for new genes involved in male infertility through novel approaches
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11223320 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses long-read DNA sequencing to find genes and mutations that may cause infertility in men.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | February 22, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $543,646 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD106056-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11223320 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are men with unexplained (idiopathic) infertility who have not yet received a genetic diagnosis.
✕Less likely to help
Men whose infertility has a known non-genetic cause (for example obstruction or hormonal problems) or who already have a clear genetic diagnosis are less likely to benefit directly.
What this research studies
Researchers will collect DNA and sperm samples from men with unexplained infertility and from people without fertility problems. They will use long-read sequencing to determine whether damaging mutations are on one or both copies of a gene, information that short-read methods often miss. New candidate genes and genomic regions will be tested in mouse models to see if loss of those genes harms sperm development. The goal is to explain more cases of unexplained male infertility and guide future diagnosis or treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could increase genetic diagnoses for men with unexplained infertility and point to new targets for treatment or contraception.
How similar studies have gone: Previous short-read sequencing approaches have explained only about 1.5% of cases, and long-read sequencing is a newer method that may reveal additional genetic causes but is still being tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Garcia, Thomas — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Garcia, Thomas
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This study is looking at how higher rates of genetic changes in men might be linked to infertility and other health problems, and it involves men with varying fertility levels who will provide samples to help us understand these connections better.
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.