Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) awarded a Project Grant of $805,497 to the Regents of the University of California, San Francisco, effective June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2031, under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855). This research initiative investigates fibroblast-immune cell interactions in the epigenetic control of parturition timing, with the primary objective of identifying mechanisms underlying labor onset in humans. The research addresses a critical public health gap by seeking to develop predictive diagnostics and rational therapies for preterm birth (PTB), which affects approximately 10 percent of all pregnancies in the United States and constitutes a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality.

The project delivers fundamental biomedical research focused on mapping uterine fibroblast epigenome evolution and identifying terminal components of the parturition cascade controlled by histone mark (H3K27ME3) erosion. The research encompasses both natural parturition pathways and inflammation-induced PTB mechanisms, with particular emphasis on innate type 2 immunity activation pathways relevant to human labor onset. Through comprehensive epigenomic characterization and pathway analysis conducted at UCSF's San Francisco facility, the project generates scientific knowledge intended to advance understanding of pregnancy timing mechanisms and support development of interventions to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes.