Understanding how gene networks shape development in humans (via information flow in regulatory networks)
Official title: The flow of information in genetic networks during development
Funded at Princeton University · NIH-11434331 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at Princeton will look at how gene networks control cell fate during development, using human-focused data and advanced imaging to map how signals move through regulatory networks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Princeton University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Princeton, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 8, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $524,456 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HD123331-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11434331 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to patients as described; this grant is basic research in developmental biology.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient participation or clinical benefit described in the abstract.
What this research studies
This project uses high-resolution live imaging and computational modeling to track how information flows from transcription factors to gene outputs during early development. By perturbing cis-regulatory elements and transcriptional inputs, the team will observe how changes affect network behavior and cell identity. While the work focuses on Drosophila embryos as a model system, the insights aim to illuminate human gene regulation during development. The approach combines experimental measurements with mathematical models to understand how noise and variability influence developmental decisions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could improve understanding of developmental biology and inform strategies to address developmental disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in regulatory networks and information flow has yielded valuable models, with incremental progress expected rather than a guaranteed breakthrough.
Where this research is happening
-
Princeton University
Princeton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gregor, Thomas — Princeton University
- Study coordinator: Gregor, Thomas
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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.