Genetic and hormonal control of how organs change with age and sex
Official title: Genetic and endocrine regulation of multi-organ plasticity and sexually dimorphic behaviors
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore County · NIH-11329477 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how hormones and genetics shape how our bodies adapt across organs and how this differs between males and females.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore County NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $416,456 |
| NIH project number | 1R35GM163606-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11329477 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults and adolescents (including those who cannot achieve pregnancy) who are interested in understanding how hormones influence organ development and behavior.
✕Less likely to help
People seeking immediate clinical treatments will need further studies to translate these findings into therapies.
What this research studies
From a patient’s view, the project looks at how the body’s hormones coordinate changes in multiple organs as we age and encounter different environments. It uses models to understand how signals from the nervous system and environment influence hormone release and organ function over time. The work focuses on sexually dimorphic (male vs female) patterns in behavior and organ development, with a goal of clarifying how maturation affects health. Findings could inform how adolescence and aging influence growth, fertility, and behavior. The research is centered on human biology while incorporating non-human models to map these complex regulatory networks.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to better understanding of puberty, fertility, and age-related organ changes, informing personalized approaches to endocrine-related health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that hormonal regulation can orchestrate multi-organ changes, but this project extends knowledge to sexually dimorphic patterns and maturation timing.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Baltimore County
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vonhoff, Fernando J — University of Maryland Baltimore County
- Study coordinator: Vonhoff, Fernando J
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.