Rat models to study how XX vs XY chromosomes influence disease differences
Official title: Enh13 mutant rats for investigation of XX vs. XY differences in phenotypes
Funded at Medical College of Wisconsin · NIH-11437634 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A NIH grant is funding the creation and validation of rat models that let researchers compare how having XX or XY sex chromosomes affects disease outcomes, independent of hormones.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $195,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21OD042615-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11437634 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to patients directly, but findings could inform human studies on sex differences in disease.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient enrollment or treatment is involved in this grant.
What this research studies
This project will develop rat strains that differ in sex chromosomes but share the same gonads, using a Sox9 enhancer mutation to produce XX and XY rats with ovaries or testes. Researchers will validate these models to separate sex chromosome effects from hormonal influences and to study their roles in disease protection or vulnerability. The work combines genetic engineering, breeding, and disease-relevant testing in a well-established rat system to mirror human sex-difference biology.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could clarify why some diseases affect males and females differently and guide more personalized approaches to prevention and treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Previous rat model work has shown that sex chromosomes can influence biological outcomes, supporting the potential value of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Geurts, Aron M — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Geurts, Aron M
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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.