Finding genes that cause congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Functional Validation of Novel Variants Associated with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

['FUNDING_R01'] · JACKSON LABORATORY · NIH-11187163

This project uses fast CRISPR gene-editing in mice to find which genetic changes are responsible for congenital diaphragmatic hernia in babies.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorJACKSON LABORATORY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (BAR HARBOR, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11187163 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Researchers will use genetic data from children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) to pick candidate gene variants. They will create rapid CRISPR/Cas9-edited founder mice to see if those variants produce diaphragm and lung problems like human CDH. This quick validation platform shortens the usual mouse-model timeline from over a year to a few months so many genes can be screened. Validated genes will help explain why some infants develop CDH and guide future diagnostic and treatment research.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are infants or children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (and their families) who can provide genetic samples and clinical information for research.

Not a fit: Patients whose CDH is caused by non-genetic factors or who need immediate clinical therapies are unlikely to get direct, immediate benefit from this basic validation work.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal genetic causes of CDH that improve diagnosis, genetic counseling, and point to new treatment directions.

How similar studies have performed: Large-scale sequencing has nominated many CDH candidate genes but only about 25 have been reproducibly validated, and rapid CRISPR founder-mouse validation is a newer but promising method to confirm more genes.

Where this research is happening

BAR HARBOR, UNITED STATES

Researchers

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 below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.