Understanding how fetal male germ cells fix DNA breaks
Official title: Mechanisms of Double Strand Break Repair in Fetal Male Germ Cells
Funded at University of North Carolina Charlotte · NIH-11627830 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how DNA damage in fetal male germ cells is repaired to keep future sperm healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of North Carolina Charlotte NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlotte, United States) |
| Project start | September 2, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $248,901 |
| NIH project number | 4R00HD117011-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11627830 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are males at risk of heritable germline DNA repair issues or researchers studying fetal germ cell biology; direct patient participation is not specified, but insights may inform future human studies.
✕Less likely to help
If you are not involved in germline biology or heritable DNA repair research, immediate personal benefits may be limited.
What this research studies
This project focuses on how germ cells in male fetuses repair breakages in their DNA, which could affect future fertility and offspring. It compares repair pathways like non-homologous end joining and homologous recombination in a critical G0 phase before birth. The goal is to uncover mechanisms that keep the germline genome accurate, using human and mouse biology to bridge knowledge from development to potential clinical insights. Findings could inform strategies for reducing heritable genetic errors that impact fertility and offspring health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A better understanding of germline DNA repair could lead to ways to protect future children from heritable genetic issues.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that germ cell DNA repair pathways are critical for genome integrity, with ongoing exploration in humans and animals.
Where this research is happening
-
University of North Carolina Charlotte
Charlotte, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hatkevich, Talia Lee — University of North Carolina Charlotte
- Study coordinator: Hatkevich, Talia Lee
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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.