Understanding how sea urchins develop through their genes

Mining Information from Echinoderm Genomes and the Scientific Literature

NIH-funded research Carnegie-Mellon University · NIH-10933423

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 typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCarnegie-Mellon University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Pittsburgh, United States)
Project IDNIH-10933423 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals interested in developmental biology, genetic disorders, or those with conditions related to embryonic development.

Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to genetic or developmental processes may not receive direct benefits from this research.

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 performed: 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

Pittsburgh, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.