Understanding how sperm and egg cells recognize and fuse during fertilization
Official title: Cell Surface Receptor Recognition and Membrane Fusion in Mammalian Fertilization
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11055452 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how sperm and egg cells find and connect with each other to create new life, focusing on certain proteins that help them do this, which could help improve our understanding of male fertility and lead to better fertility treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $246,810 |
| NIH project number | 5R00HD104924-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11055452 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals experiencing infertility or those interested in reproductive health.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not seeking fertility treatments or who do not have issues related to reproduction may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the critical biological process of fertilization, focusing on how sperm and egg cells recognize each other and fuse to form a new organism. The study aims to uncover the mechanisms behind the interactions of cell surface proteins involved in this process, particularly the roles of specific proteins like Izumo1 and Juno. By utilizing advanced techniques, the research will explore how these proteins assemble and function during fertilization, potentially revealing new insights into male fertility. This work could lead to a better understanding of reproductive biology and fertility treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of fertility and lead to improved treatments for infertility.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding gamete interactions, but this specific approach focusing on the assembly and function of fertilization proteins is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tang, Shaogeng — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Tang, Shaogeng
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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.