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The Role of Calcium Transients in Fertilization and Early Embryogenesis in C. elegans

Award Number: R15HD111986
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/01/2023
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/31/2026

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The Role of Calcium Transients in Fertilization and Early Embryogenesis in C. elegans - Project Summary Human development begins with an internal fertilization event. However, internal fertilization is notoriously difficult to visualize in vivo. Taking advantage of the universally conserved calcium response that is a hallmark of sperm-egg fusion in all species, we have adapted the genetically encoded calcium indicator jGCaMP7s to fluorescently indicate the moment of fertilization inside a living animal. Our system in C. elegans produces a robust signal that recapitulates the previously reported, biphasic nature of the calcium wave and has no deleterious effects on worm physiology or fecundity. This reporter is a powerful new tool that will complement existing techniques in order to address our long-term goal to define cell-cell communication and coordination during the events of the oocyte-to-embryo transition and early embryogenesis. The rationale is that visualization of the calcium transients, in conjunction with genetic and molecular tools to probe cytological dependence on calcium, will allow an unprecedented opportunity to dissect early embryogenesis inside a living animal. Completion of Specific Aim 1 will define additional intercellular regulation and coordination that occurs during the oocyte- to-embryo transition by examining our reporter in a novel background that forces both a fertilization-competent and a fertilization-incompetent oocyte to be ovulated at the same time. Specific Aim 2 will define the cell-type specificity and timing of calcium transients during early embryogenesis that have never before been observed in C. elegans. Specific Aim 3 will synergistically propel this research and improve undergraduate Developmental biology education at Florida Tech by incorporating a targeted RNAi screen for OET regulators into a redesigned course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) lab. The central innovation of this proposal is the marriage of superior calcium imaging during early embryogenesis combined with a model system that has superlative genetics and a well-ordered gonad. This proposed research is significant because it will enable new insights into the timing and regulation of the OET and early embryogenesis in an intact living animal and could led to advances in reproductive medicine. Importantly, this proposal will satisfy key objectives of the R15 mechanism and the Notice of Special Intent by 1) significantly enhancing exposure of students to developmental biology research and 2) strengthening the research infrastructure at the Florida Institute of Technology.


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: 2025 ( Subtotal = $10,084 )
2025	2023	FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY INC	150 W UNIVERSITY BLVD	MELBOURNE	FL	32901	BREVARD	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	000	1	6/4/2025	NEW	-$229,002
2025	2023	UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA	6001 DODGE ST EAB 209	OMAHA	NE	68182	DOUGLAS	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	001	2	6/4/2025	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$239,086
														Subtotal = $10,084

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $430,370 )
2023	2023	FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY INC	150 W UNIVERSITY BLVD	MELBOURNE	FL	32901	BREVARD	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	000	1	5/15/2023	NEW	$430,370
														Subtotal = $430,370

Grand Total All Awards = $440,454

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The Role of Calcium Transients in Fertilization and Early Embryogenesis in C. elegans

Award Number: R15HD111986

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

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

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/01/2023

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/31/2026

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