Understanding Chromosome Changes in Early Embryo Development
Characterization of aneuploidy, cell fate and mosaicism in early development
This research explores why some embryos have an incorrect number of chromosomes, which can lead to early miscarriages, using a special animal model.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11158726 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many early miscarriages happen because embryos have an incorrect number of chromosomes, a condition called aneuploidy. Often, these embryos are 'mosaic,' meaning they contain a mix of both normal and abnormal cells. Because it's difficult to study these processes directly in human embryos, this project uses a marmoset model, which naturally experiences similar chromosome changes. We aim to understand how these abnormal cells behave and what happens to them during the earliest stages of development.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is foundational and does not directly involve patient participation at this stage, but it aims to benefit couples experiencing recurrent miscarriages or challenges with IVF in the future.
Not a fit: Patients not experiencing issues with early embryo development or recurrent miscarriages may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a better understanding of early pregnancy loss and potentially improve outcomes for couples trying to conceive.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has shown lineage-specific behavior of aneuploidy in human embryonic stem cell models, and this project builds upon that foundation using an in vivo animal model.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang, Min — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Yang, Min
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.