Understanding how metabolism affects embryonic development and birth defects
Official title: Metabolic control of the neural crest epigenome
Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-11045033 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how a mother's health, especially things like weight and diabetes, can affect the development of her baby's cells and potentially lead to birth defects, with the hope of finding ways to prevent these issues in the future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $560,550 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD112379-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11045033 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant individuals or those planning to become pregnant, particularly those with metabolic conditions like obesity or diabetes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without metabolic dysfunction or those not planning to conceive may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between maternal metabolic health and the development of congenital malformations in embryos. It focuses on neural crest cells, which are crucial for proper embryonic development and are sensitive to metabolic changes, such as those caused by obesity and diabetes. By exploring how metabolic states influence gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms, the research aims to uncover the molecular pathways that link metabolism to developmental abnormalities. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to improved prevention strategies for birth defects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing congenital malformations linked to maternal metabolic dysfunction.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding metabolic influences on embryonic development can lead to significant advancements in preventing birth defects, indicating a promising avenue for this investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Simoes-Costa, Marcos — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Simoes-Costa, Marcos
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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.