How female eggs throw away most chromosomes during meiosis
Official title: Mechanisms of asymmetric cell division during female meiosis
Funded at University of California at Davis · NIH-11504163 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist at UC Davis is studying why only a quarter of chromosomes go into the egg during female reproductive cell division and how errors in this process can cause miscarriage or birth defects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2020 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $200,044 |
| NIH project number | 3R35GM136241-07S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11504163 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with pregnancies affected by chromosomal abnormalities may indirectly benefit from insights into meiosis mechanisms.
✕Less likely to help
There is no immediate treatment or intervention for patients; benefits are mechanistic and may inform future therapies.
What this research studies
This project uses 3C-based techniques to map the chromosome dynamics during female meiosis in C. elegans, aiming to uncover the molecular steps that drive asymmetric chromosome elimination. By comparing how chromosomes are handled in female eggs versus male sperm, the research seeks to identify why certain aneuploidies occur and how they might be prevented. The findings could reveal targets that explain why paternal chromosomes are sometimes excluded and how spindle positioning affects fertility. The work combines worm models with cutting-edge chromatin architecture methods to translate basic biology into insights about human meiosis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding the safeguards of human meiosis could inform strategies to reduce aneuploidy-related pregnancy losses and congenital disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in model organisms supports that meiotic chromosome behavior is conserved and can inform human biology, suggesting potential translational value.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California at Davis
Davis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcnally, Francis J — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Mcnally, Francis J
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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.