Lipid droplet proteins and actin remodeling in egg development
Official title: Interplay between lipid droplet factors and actin remodeling in oogenesis
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11425540 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to understand how lipid droplets influence the actin skeleton to produce healthy eggs in fruit flies, with findings that could inform human fertility.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | August 17, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $650,521 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HD122697-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11425540 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are women with infertility related to oocyte quality or actin remodeling defects, or researchers studying human oogenesis.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without infertility related to oocyte quality or actin remodeling may not directly benefit from this basic science study.
What this research studies
This project uses the fruit fly model to study how lipid-droplet–associated proteins regulate the actin cytoskeleton during oocyte maturation, a process essential for fertility. By focusing on two regulators linked to lipid droplets, Jabba and Impα2, the study explores how these proteins interact with prostaglandin signaling to orchestrate actin remodeling. The work combines genetics, cell biology, and imaging to map the molecular pathway from lipid droplets to actin changes that support oocyte quality and fertility. Because the PG pathway is conserved in mammals, insights may translate toward understanding human female fertility and infertility related to actin dynamics. The grant supports a well-defined line of inquiry that could illuminate new targets for preserving or improving egg quality.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of the cellular factors that ensure healthy egg development could guide new strategies to improve female fertility.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in model organisms supports a role for lipid signaling and actin remodeling in oocyte development, suggesting this line could yield meaningful insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tootle, Tina L — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Tootle, Tina L
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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.