Understanding cervical mucus to develop new non-hormonal fertility and contraceptive options
A multi-disciplinary approach to uncover novel insights of endocervical mucus secretion for future drug discovery
This project looks at how hormonal changes affect cervical mucus to help people who want to prevent pregnancy or improve fertility.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11332002 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will map the cells and molecular pathways that control mucus production in the endocervix using lab-grown cells and animal models informed by airway mucus research. They will apply tools from airway biology to study mucin proteins, hydration, and epithelial ion channels that determine mucus consistency. The team aims to identify targets that could be used to make non-hormonal drugs that either thicken mucus to block sperm or loosen it to aid sperm passage. Work is led at Oregon Health & Science University by a multidisciplinary group combining biology, biophysics, and bioinformatics.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for eventual therapies are people of reproductive age seeking non-hormonal contraception or help conceiving.
Not a fit: People needing immediate clinical treatments, those outside reproductive age, or those with unrelated medical issues are unlikely to get direct benefit from this basic research in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new non-hormonal treatments that prevent pregnancy or improve natural fertility by altering cervical mucus.
How similar studies have performed: Airway mucus research has already identified important mucins and ion-channel mechanisms, but applying those findings to the human endocervix is relatively new and not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
Portland, United States
- Oregon Health & Science University — Portland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Han, Leo Liu — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Han, Leo Liu
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 below.