Understanding chromosome movements in mouse eggs to prevent birth defects
Official title: Homologous chromosome dynamics in mouse oocytes
Funded at Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation · NIH-11348565 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how chromosomes move during egg development in mice to better understand why embryos sometimes have the wrong number of chromosomes, which can lead to pregnancy loss or birth defects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oklahoma City, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $468,875 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HD118636-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11348565 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are researchers and clinicians studying human reproduction and meiotic chromosome dynamics, plus future translational teams exploring aneuploidy prevention.
✕Less likely to help
People who are not involved in reproductive biology or meiosis research are unlikely to benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project uses a fluorescence reporter system to watch how chromosomes pair and move in developing mouse eggs. The team will combine imaging of ovaries with mouse mutants and chemical inhibitors to map the forces behind chromosome movements. The goal is to uncover the cellular machinery that ensures balanced chromosome numbers in eggs, which could inform future strategies to prevent aneuploidy-related pregnancy issues. The work focuses on meiosis in female germ cells and how telomere-led movements influence proper segregation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could shed light on why aneuploidy occurs and point to new approaches to reduce pregnancy loss and birth defects linked to chromosome number.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that chromosome movements are linked to accurate segregation, supporting potential translational relevance of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
Oklahoma City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pezza, Roberto Jose — Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
- Study coordinator: Pezza, Roberto Jose
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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.