Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) awarded a Project Grant of $415,613 to the University of Rochester on February 24, 2026, under the Environmental Health program (CFDA 93.113) to investigate methylmercury (MeHg) metabolism and elimination in pregnant women and developing fetuses. The project, which extends through January 31, 2028, focuses on understanding how pregnancy may alter maternal MeHg clearance kinetics—potentially reducing fetal exposure to this highly toxic form of mercury commonly consumed through fish consumption. The research expands upon preliminary evidence indicating that MeHg elimination increases as pregnancy progresses, with implications for reducing toxicant exposure to the developing fetus during a period of exceptional vulnerability.

The deliverables include evaluations of pregnant women who routinely consume fish for changes in MeHg elimination over time, parallel assessment of the maternal gut microbiome for demethylation activity, and metagenomic sequencing to characterize the microbial species responsible for MeHg metabolism and excretion. By optimizing previously developed tools for monitoring MeHg metabolism in non-pregnant adults, the research aims to establish baseline data on how pregnancy modulates mercury toxicokinetics, generating evidence relevant to environmental health policy and maternal-fetal health protection strategies.