Federal Grant Award Summary

Yale University received a $132,022 Project Grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) under the Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.865), awarded July 1, 2026, with completion targeted for June 30, 2028. The research investigates the role of histone H4 acetylation (H4AC), specifically H4K12AC, in mammalian embryogenesis and its relationship to maternal aging-related fertility decline. The project employs an ultra-low-scale Cut & Tag methodology to examine how H4K12AC regulates SINE (Short Interspersed Nuclear Element) activation during zygotic genome activation (ZGA) and early embryonic development, with particular focus on understanding epigenetic dysregulation mechanisms that contribute to reduced oocyte quality and embryo competence in aged maternal conditions.

The research deliverables will advance understanding of epigenetic mechanisms governing early mammalian development by characterizing H4K12AC-mediated activation of regulatory elements and demonstrating how dysregulation of these histone modifications impairs embryonic developmental transitions. Findings are expected to elucidate the molecular basis for age-dependent fertility reduction and provide mechanistic insights into epigenetic reprogramming at fertilization, potentially informing interventions to improve gamete and embryo competence. The work will be conducted at Yale University's New Haven, Connecticut facility.