How genes change the risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
Characterizing the Genetics of FASD in Complementary Mouse and Fish Models
This work looks at how inherited genes can make unborn babies more or less likely to have problems after prenatal alcohol exposure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11137624 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers use mice and zebrafish to model how prenatal alcohol affects development in different genetic backgrounds. They compare strains that are more or less sensitive to alcohol, use genetic sequencing to find candidate genes, and apply CRISPR gene editing to test those genes quickly in fish and mice. The team is combining high-throughput genetic screens with detailed brain and facial analyses to pinpoint pathways that raise or lower risk. Findings aim to reveal biological reasons why some pregnancies are affected more than others after alcohol exposure.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People or families affected by fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, and pregnant people with past alcohol use who want to learn about genetic contributions to risk, would be most relevant to follow or support this research.
Not a fit: People without prenatal alcohol exposure or those with developmental conditions unrelated to alcohol exposure are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify genetic risk factors that help guide screening, counseling, and targeted prevention for pregnancies exposed to alcohol.
How similar studies have performed: Previous human genetic studies and animal model work have identified some risk loci, and newer sequencing plus CRISPR screening approaches are promising but still maturing.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Parnell, Scott — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Parnell, Scott
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.