How RNA modifications and structures control early embryo development
Official title: Regulatory roles of the epitranscriptome and RNA structurome during vertebrate development
Funded at University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt · NIH-11384482 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in zebrafish and other models will explore how chemical marks on maternal RNAs and their 3D shapes govern the first moments of development after fertilization.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Farmington, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $416,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM146883-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11384482 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to a specific patient group; the study uses model organisms to understand fundamental developmental processes.
✕Less likely to help
Direct clinical benefit to patients is not anticipated in the short term, as findings are foundational.
What this research studies
This project looks at how maternal RNAs are decorated with RNA modifications and how their shapes change during the maternal-to-zygotic transition in early embryos. By mapping these epitranscriptome features and RNA structures, researchers aim to understand how these factors influence which RNAs are stabilized or degraded as the embryo begins to grow. The findings could reveal new ideas about what goes wrong in developmental disorders when this transition is disrupted. The work will combine high-throughput sequencing with functional tests in vertebrate models to connect molecular changes to developmental outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of early development could lead to insights for diagnosing or preventing developmental disorders rooted in the maternal-to-zygotic transition.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked RNA modifications and structures to gene regulation, with ongoing efforts showing this is a fruitful area of developmental biology.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt
Farmington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Beaudoin, Jean-Denis — University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt
- Study coordinator: Beaudoin, Jean-Denis
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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.