How arsenic affects genetic changes that can be passed to future generations
Official title: Nuclear moonlighting of arsenic metabolic enzymes and reprogramming-resistant epimutations
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11017464 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how exposure to inorganic arsenic might affect the way genes are turned on and off in reproductive cells, which could lead to changes that are passed down to future generations, and it's aimed at helping us understand the potential impacts on reproductive health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | January 23, 2025 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $646,476 |
| NIH project number | 1R01ES036923-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11017464 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of arsenic exposure or those concerned about the potential hereditary effects of environmental toxins.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been exposed to arsenic or similar environmental toxins may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how exposure to inorganic arsenic can disrupt the normal regulation of the epigenome, potentially leading to heritable changes in germ cells. By using a model that differentiates mouse embryonic stem cells into primordial germ cell-like cells, the researchers aim to understand the complex epigenetic effects of arsenic, including both hypomethylation and hypermethylation of DNA. The study will explore how these changes resist normal reprogramming processes, which could have implications for reproductive health and development across generations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and prevention of reproductive and metabolic disorders linked to environmental arsenic exposure.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that environmental toxins can have significant epigenetic effects, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Allard, Patrick — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Allard, Patrick
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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.