Understanding how cells interact during sperm development.
Official title: Somatic control of germline differentiation in spermatogenesis.
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-10741641 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how different types of cells work together during sperm development in fruit flies, which could help us understand important factors for healthy sperm production that might also apply to human reproductive health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 4, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $169,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R03HD110599-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10741641 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would be adult males experiencing infertility issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with female reproductive health concerns or those not experiencing infertility may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the interactions between somatic cells and germline cells during the process of sperm development in adult fruit flies. By using advanced techniques such as biochemistry, genetics, and cell culture, the study aims to uncover how specific proteins maintain the blood-testis barrier, which is crucial for healthy sperm production. The research will utilize the unique genetic tools available in Drosophila to identify key cellular components involved in this process, potentially providing insights that could be relevant to human reproductive health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for addressing male infertility and improving reproductive health.
How similar studies have gone: While this research utilizes established techniques, the specific focus on soma-germline interactions in Drosophila is a novel approach that has not been extensively tested in this context.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bach, Erika a — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Bach, Erika a
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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.