Understanding how sea urchins develop through their genes
Official title: Mining Information from Echinoderm Genomes and the Scientific Literature
Funded at Carnegie-Mellon University · NIH-10933423 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how sea urchins and their relatives grow and develop by exploring their genes, and the results will help scientists better understand not just these creatures, but also how humans develop and what can go wrong in diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Carnegie-Mellon University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2024 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $149,390 |
| NIH project number | 5P41HD095831-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-10933423 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals interested in developmental biology, genetic disorders, or those with conditions related to embryonic development.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to genetic or developmental processes may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on the genomic control of embryonic development in echinoderms, particularly sea urchins. By analyzing gene regulatory networks and comparing data across different echinoderm species, the project aims to uncover how these organisms develop and evolve. The findings will be compiled into a centralized database called Echinobase, which will serve as a valuable resource for researchers studying developmental biology and related fields. This work not only benefits the echinoderm research community but also has implications for understanding human development and disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of developmental processes, potentially leading to advancements in treating developmental disorders in humans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research on gene regulatory networks in model organisms has shown success, indicating that this approach is promising and builds on established scientific methods.
Where this research is happening
-
Carnegie-Mellon University
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ettensohn, Charles a. — Carnegie-Mellon University
- Study coordinator: Ettensohn, Charles a.
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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.