Federal Grant Award Summary

North Carolina State University received a $673,394 Project Grant award from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) under the Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.865), effective July 1, 2026, through March 31, 2031. The research project, "Decoding the Epigenetic Networks that Orchestrate Endometrial Function," focuses on investigating Ten-Eleven Translocation (TET) family proteins and their role in regulating uterine function during pregnancy and disease states. The project addresses critical gaps in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying recurrent implantation failure and recurrent pregnancy loss through investigation of epigenetic mechanisms including DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNAs in the endometrium.

The deliverables include basic research findings on TET protein function in uterine-specific conditional knockout mouse models, characterization of transcriptional networks regulated by TET proteins, and mechanistic insights into how epigenetic dysregulation contributes to fertility disorders and endometrial disease. This investigator-initiated research is expected to advance understanding of reproductive biology and potentially inform therapeutic approaches to improve pregnancy outcomes in women experiencing implantation failure and pregnancy loss. The research will be conducted at North Carolina State University's Raleigh campus over the approximately five-year project period.