Understanding how immune activation affects fertility due to transposons.
Official title: Examining the role of immune activation in transposon-triggered sterility.
Funded at Duke University · NIH-10917116 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain viruses in our DNA might cause infertility by triggering the immune system, and it's aimed at helping couples who are struggling to understand their unexplained fertility issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $41,910 |
| NIH project number | 5F31HD113207-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10917116 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are couples experiencing unexplained infertility, particularly those who have not found a cause after standard evaluations.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infertility due to known causes unrelated to immune activation or transposon activity may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of immune activation in infertility caused by transposons, specifically endogenous retroviruses (ERVs). It aims to understand how these ERVs may trigger an immune response that leads to sterility, rather than causing direct DNA damage. By studying the immune pathways involved, the research seeks to uncover new mechanisms that could explain unexplained infertility in couples. The findings may lead to novel insights into fertility preservation and treatment options.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide new strategies for diagnosing and treating infertility related to immune responses.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of linking immune activation to transposon-triggered sterility is novel, related studies have shown success in understanding immune responses in other fertility contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stark, Kara Michelle — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Stark, Kara Michelle
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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.