Understanding how certain proteins influence genetic variation and eye loss in fish
Official title: Unraveling the role of molecular capacitors that obscure cryptic genetic variation in Astyanax mexicanus during the evolution of eye loss
Funded at Harvard Medical School · NIH-11033167 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein in fish can hide certain genetic traits, like eye size, and how changes in their environment can bring those traits to light, which could help us better understand genetics and improve personalized medicine for everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 9, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $124,832 |
| NIH project number | 1K99GM157508-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11033167 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would be individuals with genetic conditions that exhibit low-penetrance phenotypes or families with unexplained variability in disease severity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with well-defined genetic conditions that do not involve cryptic genetic variation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how molecular systems, particularly a protein called Hsp90, can hide genetic variations that affect traits like eye size in fish. By studying the cave-dwelling fish Astyanax mexicanus, the researchers aim to uncover how environmental changes can reveal these hidden genetic traits. The approach involves manipulating Hsp90 to see how it affects the expression of cryptic genetic variations, which could lead to new insights into evolution and genetic diseases. This work could enhance our understanding of genetic counseling and personalized medicine by addressing the complexities of genotype-phenotype relationships.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved genetic counseling and personalized medicine strategies by revealing hidden genetic variations that influence disease severity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that manipulating Hsp90 can reveal cryptic genetic variations in various organisms, suggesting that this approach has been successful in similar contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard Medical School
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grunwald, Hannah Ariel — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Grunwald, Hannah Ariel
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.