Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of Washington received a $564,830 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 June 15, 2026, with completion scheduled for February 28, 2031. The research project investigates sex differences in allelic gene regulation within human placental tissue, specifically examining how sex chromosome dosage influences gene expression patterns during placental development and trophoblast differentiation. The study addresses a critical gap in understanding fetal sex-based differences in pregnancy outcomes, including conditions such as gestational diabetes and placental abruption in male pregnancies versus fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia in female pregnancies.

The project will employ complementary ex vivo and in vitro approaches utilizing integrated multi-omics and functional studies to determine the effects of X and Y chromosome gene dosage on allelic gene regulation. Researchers will conduct single-nuclei and single-cell assays to identify sex-linked candidate genes contributing to placental development and trophoblast differentiation, building on prior work demonstrating that manipulation of X-linked gene dosage dysregulates allelic gene expression. The research will advance scientific understanding of how sex chromosome imbalances impact placental health and function, with potential implications for improving pregnancy outcomes and developing sex-informed clinical interventions in obstetric care.