How egg cells reorganize their inner parts when they become embryos
Cytoplasmic remodeling during the vertebrate oocyte-to-embryo transition
This project looks at how egg cells rearrange their internal components during the egg-to-embryo change to help people with infertility.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Champaign, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11262885 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are examining egg cells from vertebrate models (like frog and fish eggs) to see how the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and other cell structures control where maternal RNAs and proteins sit before and after maturation. They use microscopy, chemical fractionation, and molecular assays to track RNA–ER association and changes in protein production as eggs mature. The team tests how ER remodeling releases RNAs into the cytosol and how that influences early embryo development. Findings aim to reveal cellular errors that could underlie some cases of unexplained infertility.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with unexplained infertility or repeated early embryo development failures would be the most relevant candidates for future sample donation or follow-on clinical studies.
Not a fit: Patients whose infertility is due only to male-factor issues or to clear uterine structural problems are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify cellular mechanisms behind some unexplained infertility and point toward new diagnostics or treatments related to egg quality.
How similar studies have performed: Prior basic research in frog and fish oocytes has shown ER-associated maternal RNAs and links to protein synthesis, but applying these findings to human infertility remains largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
Champaign, United States
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign — Champaign, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang, Jing — University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Study coordinator: Yang, Jing
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.