Role of Energy Metabolism in Body Segmentation (developmental biology)
Official title: Role of Energy Metabolism in Patterning the Vertebrate Musculo-Skeletal Axis
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11449570 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how cellular metabolism shapes the way the spine and muscles form during embryonic development, with potential implications for understanding congenital body patterning in humans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 7, 2016 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $656,311 |
| NIH project number | 2R01HD085121-11A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11449570 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
No direct patient enrollment is required for this basic science study.
✕Less likely to help
People without embryos or stem-cell–based research pathways are not participants.
What this research studies
The project studies how metabolism guides the timing and patterning of somite formation in the developing vertebrate embryo, using chicken embryos and human stem cell–derived tissue. It combines gene editing, live imaging, and high-resolution metabolic mapping to link energy gradients with signaling pathways like Wnt. By examining GABA signaling and membrane potential alongside metabolism, the researchers aim to reveal how developmental tempo is set. The work could illuminate fundamental processes that, if disrupted, lead to congenital segmentation defects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A deeper understanding of how metabolism influences fetal development could inform strategies to prevent or diagnose congenital spine and muscle patterning disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows metabolism influences developmental signaling, with new data suggesting momentum for this integrated approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pourquie, Olivier — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Pourquie, Olivier
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.