Understanding how chromosome separation is controlled in female egg cells to prevent miscarriages and birth defects
Official title: Signaling Mechanisms that Control Chromosome Segregation during Female Meiosis
Funded at Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. · NIH-11406924 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at Rutgers looks at how three Aurora kinases work together to ensure chromosomes separate correctly during the formation of egg cells, with the aim of reducing miscarriage and birth defects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Piscataway, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2020 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $426,145 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM136340-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11406924 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who have experienced miscarriage or birth defects potentially linked to chromosomal missegregation, or those at risk of such conditions, may benefit from insights.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without issues related to chromosomal segregation in meiosis are unlikely to benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project explores the molecular mechanisms that ensure proper chromosome separation during female meiosis I in humans, focusing on the Aurora kinase family (AURKA, AURKB, AURKC). Using mouse oocytes and oocyte-specific knockout models, the team will map how these kinases interact and regulate spindle assembly and chromosome segregation. The goal is to translate these basic insights into a clearer picture of why errors occur in oocytes and how they could contribute to pregnancy loss and congenital abnormalities in humans. The research builds on prior work showing distinct roles for each kinase and how they influence meiosis, with potential implications for cancer biology where AURK kinases are aberrantly expressed.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of why egg cells missegregate could lead to strategies to reduce birth defects and miscarriage tied to chromosomal errors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have clarified roles of Aurora kinases in meiosis and mitosis, suggesting the approach is promising but still identifying exact mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
Piscataway, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schindler, Karen a — Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
- Study coordinator: Schindler, Karen 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.