NIH-funded research R01 grant

Understanding how BRCA2 affects the formation of sperm and eggs

Official title: Roles of BRCA2 in Mammalian Meiosis and Gamete Quality

Funded at University of California at Davis · NIH-11021019 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how a protein called BRCA2 helps with the creation of sperm and eggs, which is important for having healthy babies, and it aims to find out how this protein affects DNA repair and the way chromosomes are sorted during cell division.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California at Davis
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Davis, United States)
Project startFebruary 1, 2024
Project endNovember 30, 2028
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$683,926
NIH project number5R01HD109322-02
Project IDNIH-11021019 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a family history of breast cancer or known BRCA2 mutations who are concerned about their reproductive health.

Less likely to help

Patients without any known genetic predisposition to breast cancer or those not facing reproductive challenges may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the role of the BRCA2 protein in the process of meiosis, which is crucial for producing sperm and eggs. By using advanced genetic and biochemical techniques, the study aims to uncover how BRCA2 contributes to DNA repair and chromosome segregation during this specialized cell division. The researchers will develop new tools to analyze BRCA2's functions and interactions, providing insights into its importance in gamete quality. This knowledge could help improve reproductive health and cancer risk assessment.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and management of reproductive health issues and breast cancer risk in individuals with BRCA2 mutations.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding the mechanisms of BRCA2 in DNA repair can lead to significant advancements in cancer treatment and reproductive health, indicating a promising avenue for this study.

Where this research is happening

  • University of California at Davis
    Davis, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Hunter, Neil — University of California at Davis
  • Study coordinator: Hunter, Neil

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • UC Davis IGA Innovation Center

    A research center at UC Davis will study gene-edited livestock to improve animal health, safety, and policy through sharing genetic data and findings about genome edits in cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats.

    NIH research University of California at Davis · Davis, United States · NIH-11641870

  • Administrative Core of an equitable breast cancer screening program

    A national program headed from UC Davis is coordinating several research efforts to improve how breast cancer screening is done in community settings.

    NIH research University of California at Davis · Davis, United States · NIH-11622111

  • The role of novelty and surprise in learning for people with Alzheimer’s disease

    A study explores how surprising events affect memory and learning in people related to Alzheimer’s disease, using everyday tasks to see how the brain remembers new information.

    NIH research University of California at Davis · Davis, United States · NIH-11617755

  • Understanding how distraction affects students and how to measure it better

    This grant studies why distracted students, including those with ADHD, struggle in real-life learning and tests a clearer way to measure distraction in everyday settings.

    NIH research University of California at Davis · Davis, United States · NIH-11617018

  • California Partnership for Personalized Nutrition

    A California clinical center is testing personalized dietary approaches to improve blood sugar and health for adults with diabetes by using big data and AI to tailor meals.

    NIH research University of California at Davis · Davis, United States · NIH-11605720

  • Advancing gastric cancer care for Latinos through patient-derived tumor models

    Aimed at Latinos with gastric cancer, this project uses patient-derived tumor models to study how cancer biology and treatments work in real tumors.

    NIH research University of California at Davis · Davis, United States · NIH-11603175

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.