Investigating a natural sunscreen that protects early development from UV damage
Official title: Gadusol: An ancient sunscreen that protects metazoan development
Funded at University of Utah · NIH-10903554 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a special sunscreen called gadusol that mother fish use to protect their eggs from harmful sunlight, and it aims to find out how fish make more of it when they are exposed to UV rays, which could help us understand natural ways to protect against sun damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | September 16, 2024 |
| Project end | September 15, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $73,828 |
| NIH project number | 1F32GM154475-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10903554 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals interested in the effects of UV radiation and those with a history of skin damage or conditions exacerbated by UV exposure.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not affected by UV radiation or do not have skin-related conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores a newly discovered sunscreen called gadusol, which is deposited by mother fish into their eggs to shield them from harmful ultraviolet radiation (UVR) during early development. The project aims to understand how gadusol functions after the maternal supply is depleted and whether UV exposure triggers the production of gadusol in developing fish. By using advanced techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing, the researchers will analyze the protective mechanisms against UVR and trace the evolutionary origins of gadusol across different species. This work could provide insights into natural protective strategies against UV damage.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into natural UV protection mechanisms, potentially informing the development of better sunscreens for humans.
How similar studies have gone: While the concept of natural sunscreens is not new, the specific investigation of gadusol and its protective mechanisms represents a novel approach that has not been extensively studied before.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Johnson, Kristin Lorette — University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Johnson, Kristin Lorette
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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.