Fluorescent tags to watch chromosome movements during sperm development
Development of a lacO/lacI based fluorescence reporter-operator system to study chromosome dynamics and double-strand break repair in mouse meiosis.
Researchers are making a glowing tag system in mice to watch how chromosomes move and mend breaks during sperm formation to better understand causes of pregnancy loss and birth defects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oklahoma City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11283928 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project builds a fluorescent reporter system that sticks to chosen chromosome sites in mouse sperm cells so scientists can watch chromosomes in real time. Teams will use long-term 3D imaging of seminiferous tubules to track how homologous chromosomes find each other and how double-strand DNA breaks are repaired. They will compare normal and mutant cells to see which proteins control pairing, motion, and successful crossover formation. Results aim to reveal mechanisms that, when faulty, lead to chromosome errors like aneuploidy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss, known parental chromosomal abnormalities, or family histories of aneuploid conditions may be most interested in future studies building on this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose health issues are unrelated to chromosome segregation or fertility are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this specific lab-based project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help researchers understand the root causes of aneuploidy and eventually guide ways to predict or reduce pregnancy loss and birth defects.
How similar studies have performed: Fluorescent reporter-operator systems like lacO/lacI have been used successfully in cell biology, but applying an improved FROS for long-term 3D live imaging of mouse meiosis is a relatively new adaptation.
Where this research is happening
Oklahoma City, United States
- Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation — Oklahoma City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pezza, Roberto Jose — Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
- Study coordinator: Pezza, Roberto Jose
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 below.