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Mechanisms of developmental buffering

Award Number: R01DE029193
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DENTAL AND CRANIOFACIAL RESEARCH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/01/2021
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/28/2027

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Mechanisms of developmental buffering - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT: The long-term objective of this proposal is to understand genetic buffering, or how some individuals overcome the effects of a harmful genetic mutation. We generated a zebrafish model of buffering in order to understand how individuals who should have gotten sick are somehow able to live unaffected healthy lives. In our model, we used selective breeding to generate two strains of zebrafish that develop dramatically different head skeletons in response to the same harmful genetic mutation. In one strain, the mutation causes severe, lethal skeletal defects. Meanwhile, the other strain is remarkably buffered against the mutation. The buffered fish develop essentially normal head skeletons, surviving to be fertile, viable adults. We compare these strains to understand the natural buffering mechanisms that are present in some fish, and likely in some humans too. We hypothesize that buffering is due to factors that tune developmental processes to restore balance. For example, in Aim1 we will determine how DNA sequences which oppose the mutant gene can be turned down. In Aim 2 we examine how factors encoded in the DNA which perform the same function as the mutant gene can be turned up. In Aim 3 we will determine how changes that do not necessarily involve alterations in the DNA sequence can buffer the harmful mutation. These three specific aims test how interacting mechanisms function together to buffer development. We designed experiments to address these aims using state of the art methods like genome editing and sequencing, colorful cell and tissue labeling, quantitative measurements of large numbers of fish skeletons, and rigorous statistical analyses. The mechanisms we propose to study here are present in many developmental systems and organisms and therefore will likely be applicable in wide- ranging settings. This study of buffering mechanisms could lead to novel therapeutic approaches, buffering mechanisms might be manipulated in the future to manage disease symptoms. This work will also lead to a better understanding of the factors that make predicting genetic disease from gene sequences difficult. Thus, this line of research will potentially inform and improve medical practices, including genetic disease management, disease diagnosis, and counseling, falling squarely within the mission of the NIDCR to improve dental, oral and craniofacial health through research.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2026	2025	THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO	13001 E 17TH PL STE F428	AURORA	CO	80045	ADAMS	USA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	000	5	2/2/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $404,350 )
2025	2025	THE REGENTS OF THE UNIV. OF COLORADO	13001 E 17TH PL STE F428	AURORA	CO	80045	ADAMS	USA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	001	5	5/7/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$40,434
2025	2025	THE REGENTS OF THE UNIV. OF COLORADO	13001 E 17TH PL STE F428	AURORA	CO	80045	ADAMS	USA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	000	5	3/6/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$363,916
														Subtotal = $404,350

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $396,264 )
2024	2024	THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO	13001 E 17TH PL STE F428	AURORA	CO	80045	ADAMS	USA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	000	4	2/20/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$363,916
2024	2024	THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO	13001 E 17TH PL STE F428	AURORA	CO	80045	ADAMS	USA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	001	4	6/19/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$32,348
														Subtotal = $396,264

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $456,054 )
2023	2023	REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, THE	13001 E 17TH PLACE F428	AURORA	CO	80045	ADAMS	USA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	000	3	2/13/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$456,054
														Subtotal = $456,054

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $451,494 )
2022	2022	REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, THE	13001 E 17TH PLACE F428	AURORA	CO	80045	ADAMS	USA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	000	2	1/25/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$410,450
2022	2022	REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, THE	13001 E 17TH PLACE F428	AURORA	CO	80045	ADAMS	USA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	001	2	4/21/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$41,044
														Subtotal = $451,494

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $422,558 )
2021	2021	REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, THE	13001 E 17TH PLACE F428	AURORA	CO	80045	ADAMS	USA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	000	1	3/30/2021	NEW	$422,558
														Subtotal = $422,558

Grand Total All Awards = $2,130,720

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Mechanisms of developmental buffering

Award Number: R01DE029193

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DENTAL AND CRANIOFACIAL RESEARCH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/01/2021

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/28/2027

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