Understanding how certain cells develop during pregnancy
Official title: Regulation of Invasive Trophoblast Cell Lineage Development
Funded at Children's Mercy Hosp (Kansas City, Mo) · NIH-10932408 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a protein called ASCL2 to see how it helps develop important cells that support a healthy pregnancy, which could help us understand issues like preeclampsia or growth problems in babies, ultimately aiming to find better treatments for these conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Mercy Hosp (Kansas City, Mo) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $241,882 |
| NIH project number | 5R00HD107262-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10932408 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant individuals or those planning to become pregnant, particularly those with a history of pregnancy complications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or do not plan to become pregnant may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of a specific protein, ASCL2, in the development of invasive trophoblast cells, which are crucial for proper blood supply to the fetus during pregnancy. By using advanced techniques like ATAC sequencing and creating mutant animal models, the researchers aim to uncover how ASCL2 influences the formation of these cells and their impact on placental health. This study could provide insights into why some pregnancies face complications such as preeclampsia or growth restrictions. Patients may benefit from a better understanding of these conditions and potential new treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved outcomes for pregnancies at risk of complications related to placental development.
How similar studies have gone: Similar research has shown promise in understanding placental development and its implications for pregnancy health, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Mercy Hosp (Kansas City, Mo)
Kansas City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Varberg, Kaela Margaret — Children's Mercy Hosp (Kansas City, Mo)
- Study coordinator: Varberg, Kaela Margaret
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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.