Understanding how cell death affects egg development and fertility
Official title: Defining the contributions of apoptosis to germline syncytium function during oogenesis
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11071244 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how a natural process called programmed cell death affects the health of egg cells in women, using tiny worms to learn more about how problems in these cells can impact fertility, especially as women get older, which could help improve future fertility treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $74,632 |
| NIH project number | 1F32HD117621-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11071244 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women of childbearing age experiencing infertility or those interested in understanding the biological factors affecting their reproductive health.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not of childbearing age or those with infertility not related to oocyte health may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of programmed cell death, known as apoptosis, in the health of female reproductive cells (oocytes) during their development. By studying the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, the research aims to uncover how disruptions in the structure of germline cells can impact oocyte quality and fertility. The findings could provide insights into the biological mechanisms that lead to infertility, particularly as maternal age increases, and may inform future fertility treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and potential interventions for infertility in women, especially those facing age-related fertility challenges.
How similar studies have gone: While studies on apoptosis and fertility have been limited, preliminary findings in model organisms suggest that understanding these mechanisms could lead to significant advancements in fertility research.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Onwubiko, Udodirim — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Onwubiko, Udodirim
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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.