How cells build the structures that make eggs and sperm
Official title: Regulation of microtubule organizing centers during mammalian gametogenesis
Funded at Henry M. Jackson Fdn for the Adv Mil/med · NIH-11322052 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how key cell components guide egg and sperm formation to lower chromosome errors that can cause infertility or birth defects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Henry M. Jackson Fdn for the Adv Mil/med NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bethesda, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2016 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $342,762 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM117155-12 |
| Project ID | NIH-11322052 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
There is no current patient enrollment; the work is lab-based but is most relevant to people affected by infertility or recurrent pregnancy loss linked to chromosome abnormalities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose infertility is caused by non-chromosomal issues such as blocked fallopian tubes or pure hormonal disorders are less likely to benefit directly from this basic-science project.
What this research studies
Researchers are comparing how sperm and eggs assemble the cellular machines called microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs) that line up chromosomes during cell division. They focus on proteins that control centriole duplication and spindle formation, including PLK4 and regulators of PP2A, using advanced imaging and molecular lab techniques. The team uses mammalian lab models and new experimental tools to track MTOC dynamics across the different steps of gamete formation. Results aim to explain why eggs and sperm use different MTOC processes and how those differences can lead to aneuploidy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could clarify causes of chromosome errors in eggs and sperm and eventually inform new diagnostics or treatments for some forms of infertility and risk of birth defects.
How similar studies have gone: Prior basic-science studies have shown PLK4 is a key regulator of centriole duplication, but applying these findings to compare sperm and egg MTOC behavior is a newer direction.
Where this research is happening
-
Henry M. Jackson Fdn for the Adv Mil/med
Bethesda, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jordan, Philip W — Henry M. Jackson Fdn for the Adv Mil/med
- Study coordinator: Jordan, Philip W
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Cooperation partners of SETBP1 in AML development
This grant explores how SETBP1 and AF9 (MLLT3) work together to drive acute myeloid leukemia and whether targeting related epigenetic regulators could help treat aggressive CK-AML.
-
U.S. Military HIV Research Program Clinical Trials Unit expansion
A nationwide network of clinical trial sites is being expanded to test HIV prevention and treatment approaches through DAIDS-supported trials.
-
Novel protein biomarkers of chronic pain in adults using a pain registry biobank
A study in adults with chronic pain will look for new protein biomarkers in blood samples to understand better why pain persists and how to improve treatment.
-
Tailored antibody cures for HIV using AI and vaccines
A study to design personalized antibody-based strategies to achieve HIV remission, using lab experiments and computer models to tailor vaccines or antibody treatments to individuals or small groups.
-
Understanding how antibody protection works using 3D protein structures
Researchers will build a 3D-based method to see which viral features relate to prevention by antibodies, using data from people in HIV vaccine and monoclonal antibody trials.
-
Military HIV Clinical Network
This program runs HIV and TB prevention and treatment clinical studies for adults in military-associated and high-HIV-burden communities.
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.