How diabetes affects neural tube development in embryos
Official title: Intersection of the mTOR/p70S6K1 signaling and the HIPPO-Yap tissue organizer in neurulation and diabetic embryopathy
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-10986091 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how diabetes before pregnancy can cause problems in a baby's spine and brain development, and it aims to find ways to prevent these issues by exploring how certain cell growth signals work together.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | December 21, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $651,824 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD108705-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10986091 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women of reproductive age with pregestational diabetes who are planning to conceive or are currently pregnant.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without diabetes or those who are not of reproductive age may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms by which pregestational diabetes leads to neural tube defects (NTDs) in embryos. It focuses on the interaction between two critical signaling pathways, mTOR/p70S6K1 and HIPPO-Yap, which are involved in cell growth and development. By studying these pathways, the research aims to identify potential intervention targets that could help prevent birth defects in children born to mothers with diabetes. The approach includes genetic manipulation and pharmacological interventions to understand how these pathways contribute to NTD formation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing birth defects in infants born to mothers with diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding the role of signaling pathways in developmental defects, making this approach promising yet still novel in the context of diabetes-induced NTDs.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang, Peixin — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Yang, Peixin
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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.