Ultrasound-guided ovarian tissue grafting platform to help cancer survivors have longer-lasting fertility
Official title: Ultrasound-guided Ovarian Tissue Graft generation Platform to improve fertility outcomes
Funded at Atera Medical · NIH-11456762 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new ultrasound-guided method aims to improve how ovarian tissue is prepared and transplanted so cancer survivors have a better chance of longer-lasting fertility.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Atera Medical NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Mountain View, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $377,257 |
| NIH project number | 1R61HD123526-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11456762 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Cancer survivors and individuals who preserved ovarian tissue before treatment who are considering or have undergone OTT.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not considering ovarian tissue preservation or transplantation may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
This project develops a precision platform that uses ultrasound to identify follicle-rich parts of ovarian tissue and improve how tissue is prepared for transplantation after cancer treatment. The goal is to capture more follicles and keep them alive after transplantation, potentially extending the time a survivor can achieve pregnancy. The approach focuses on reducing ischemic loss and increasing follicle survival to prolong fertility restoration. If successful, this could translate into more durable fertility options for young cancer patients and survivors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience longer periods of restored fertility after ovarian tissue transplantation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous OTT approaches restore function in many patients but often yield limited durations, making this an innovative attempt to extend benefits.
Where this research is happening
-
Atera Medical
Mountain View, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'keeffe, James — Atera Medical
- Study coordinator: O'keeffe, James
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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.