Project Grant R21HD121782

Grant Summary

Rutgers, The State University received a $417,751 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 8, 2026, with completion targeted for June 30, 2028. The research project, titled "Probing Contents and Fate of Meiotic Midbodies," develops methods and tools to isolate and characterize meiotic midbodies—membraneless ribonucleoprotein granules formed during the first meiotic cell division—through subcellular ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequencing and ribosomal laccase (RIBOLACE) techniques. The work addresses gaps in understanding how these cellular structures contribute to egg quality and early embryo development, which have direct implications for improving in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes.

The project delivers two primary research outputs: (1) isolation methods and subcellular characterization of meiotic midbody contents using advanced molecular techniques, and (2) development of a new mouse model combined with high-resolution imaging to track meiotic midbody remnants during early embryonic development. By establishing these foundational methods and identifying new regulators of egg and embryo quality, the research provides the scientific field with essential tools and knowledge to bridge mouse and human meiotic midbody biology, thereby addressing the growing public health concern of infertility and barriers to successful assisted reproductive technology outcomes.