How maternal diabetes affects RNA metabolism and causes birth defects
Official title: Dysregulated RNA metabolism in cell fate of maternal diabetes-induced neural tube defects
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-11050038 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how diabetes in pregnant women might affect their baby's development, specifically focusing on a tiny molecule called miR-322 that could help prevent serious birth defects in the brain and spine.
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 | September 17, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $668,211 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HD114794-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11050038 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women with pregestational diabetes who are at risk of having children with neural tube defects.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without diabetes or those whose pregnancies are not affected by diabetes-related complications may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of maternal diabetes on RNA metabolism and its role in causing neural tube defects (NTDs) in developing embryos. The study focuses on understanding how non-coding RNAs, specifically miR-322, are altered during diabetic pregnancies and how this affects neuroepithelial cell fate. By exploring the mechanisms of cellular stress and apoptosis, the research aims to identify potential therapeutic targets to prevent NTDs. The methodology includes restoring miR-322 expression and examining its effects on cell behavior in embryos.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing neural tube defects in children born to mothers with diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the role of RNA metabolism in developmental defects, suggesting that this approach could yield significant insights.
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.