Federal Grant Award Summary

The Stowers Institute for Medical Research received a $429,000 Project Grant award from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) under the Biomedical Research and Research Training program (CFDA 93.859), effective February 13, 2026 through January 31, 2031. This five-year initiative supports fundamental research into the function of maternal messenger RNA (mRNA) during zebrafish embryogenesis, specifically investigating the molecular mechanisms that regulate the maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT)—the critical developmental period involving degradation of maternal RNAs and activation of the zygotic genome. The research will employ advanced molecular tools, including the CRISPR-Cas13D system for efficient maternal RNA knockdown, to systematically investigate how maternal RNAs influence early embryonic development with unprecedented precision.

The project delivers integrated research outputs utilizing multi-omics approaches including RNA-sequencing, SLAM-seq, ribosome profiling, and quantitative proteomics to elucidate codon-dependent mRNA stability and maternal-zygotic gene expression patterns. Over the award period, the institute will address key research questions regarding spatial and temporal regulation of maternal RNAs, their decay mechanisms, and functional roles during embryogenesis. These fundamental discoveries are expected to advance understanding of early vertebrate development and establish foundational knowledge applicable to disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, consistent with NIGMS's core mission to support basic biomedical research that increases biological understanding.