Understanding how immune activation affects fertility due to transposons.
Examining the role of immune activation in transposon-triggered sterility.
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 ID | NIH-10917116 on NIH RePORTER |
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.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are couples experiencing unexplained infertility, particularly those who have not found a cause after standard evaluations.
Not a fit: Patients with infertility due to known causes unrelated to immune activation or transposon activity may not benefit from this research.
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 performed: 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
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stark, Kara Michelle — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Stark, Kara Michelle
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 below.