# Intrauterine Metal Exposure, Placental Gene Networks and Fetal Growth

> **NIH NIH R00** · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · 2021 · $249,000

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Perturbations during the intrauterine period, including exposures to toxic levels of trace metals, may disrupt
appropriate fetal growth and development and adversely impact health throughout the lifespan of the
individual. The placenta is the principal organ interpreting cues from the intrauterine environment to inform
fetal development, yet, changes in placental transcriptomic activity has not been systematically evaluated as a
possible mediator of fetal growth abnormalities. Comprehensively assessing the interrelationship between
metal mixture exposure, placental gene activity and fetal growth is becoming feasible with the increasing
availability of high-dimensional exposure and genomic data, however, the potential to fully harness the biologic
information retained in these large scale data-sets has yet to be realized.
To address these existing gaps, we outlined research and training aims to conduct environmental mixture
modeling in a population-based study in the context of high-throughput genomics data with verification in a
biological system. The proposed study represents the first comprehensive integration of multi-metal exposure
and placental genomics data in an epidemiologic setting. We will conduct this study using available resources
in RICHS, an ongoing, previously funded cohort, enabling us to identify novel environmentally sensitive
biomarkers in a cost-effective manner. The knowledge gained and tools developed through the proposed study
may be applied in other settings and have the potential to inform more broadly on the influence of the in utero
environment on health throughout the lifespan.
To conduct the proposed study, I will train in advanced biostatistics, systems biology and molecular biology
methods as I progress through the research aims with continual feedback from my advisory team throughout
our regularly scheduled meetings. Through formal coursework and the mentored guidance provided by Drs. Jia
Chen, Chris Gennings, Carmen Marsit, Ke Hao and Qian Lu, I will obtain the knowledge and training
necessary to develop into an independent, interdisciplinary researcher with a focus on elucidating the
molecular mechanism linking in utero environmental exposures to adverse birth outcomes.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10109011
- **Project number:** 5R00ES029571-04
- **Recipient organization:** COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** Maya Ariane Deyssenroth
- **Activity code:** R00 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $249,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-08-15 → 2023-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10109011

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10109011, Intrauterine Metal Exposure, Placental Gene Networks and Fetal Growth (5R00ES029571-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10109011. Licensed CC0.

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