Understanding how maternal factors influence reproduction
Official title: Unmasking the role of maternal transcript UTRs in reproductive fecundity
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-11136867 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain genes from mother worms influence the development of their eggs and overall fertility, using tiny roundworms to see how different factors affect reproduction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $360,125 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD111505-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11136867 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing fertility issues or those interested in understanding the biological factors affecting reproduction.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not seeking to conceive or who do not have reproductive health concerns may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of maternal transcripts during the development of eggs and their impact on reproduction. By using the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, the study aims to uncover how environmental factors and specific regulatory events affect fertility and embryonic development. The researchers will employ advanced techniques like CRISPR/Cas9 and RNA interference to manipulate genes and observe the resulting effects on reproductive processes. This approach allows for a detailed understanding of the mechanisms that govern reproduction at a molecular level.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into fertility issues and reproductive health, potentially improving outcomes for individuals facing reproductive challenges.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research using similar genetic manipulation techniques in model organisms has shown promising results in understanding reproductive biology.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ryder, Sean Patrick — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Ryder, Sean Patrick
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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.