Placental gene therapy to help babies grow healthy and reduce future diabetes risk
Official title: In utero intervention to prevent adverse metabolic health
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-11382265 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A child-focused approach aims to safely boost a key growth factor in the placenta during pregnancy to lower the chance of metabolic problems like diabetes in the child later in life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $243,795 |
| NIH project number | 5R00HD109458-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11382265 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant individuals at risk of fetal growth restriction and their developing fetuses may be eligible or considered for future translational studies.
✕Less likely to help
Pregnancies not affected by placental insufficiency or FGR may not benefit from this specific intervention.
What this research studies
This project tests a placenta-targeted, non-viral gene therapy in pregnancy to increase IGF-1 expression and improve placental transport and fetal growth. By using nanoparticles that deliver genes specifically to the placenta, researchers hope to reduce fetal growth restriction and its link to later metabolic diseases. The work is based on animal and human placental models and emphasizes safety for both mother and fetus. The study is framed as a translational step toward preventing adult-onset diabetes and related conditions rooted in fetal development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could lower future risk of metabolic diseases for children by improving placental function during pregnancy.
How similar studies have gone: Prior placental-targeted approaches have shown potential in improving growth and fetal development in models, with ongoing steps toward safety suitable for humans.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wilson, Rebecca L — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Wilson, Rebecca 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.