# Genetic control of developmental timing

> **NIH NIH R35** · UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER · 2021 · $820,328

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Animal development involves the precise control of cell division, cellular quiescence, cell fate
specification, differentiation, and morphogenesis. All these processes are controlled by cell
signaling and genetic regulatory mechanisms whose components and interactions have been
shaped by evolution for maximum fitness. We study genetic regulatory networks in C. elegans
that are responsible for orchestrating temporal patterns of developmental events during larval
development, with an eye on uncovering principles and mechanisms that ensure robust
coordination of developmental progression throughout the animal. We will expand on our
previous studies of the roles of microRNA pathways in developmental robustness to investigate
mechanisms coupling microRNA biogenesis to developmental progression under conditions of
stress. We will continue to explore the roles of microRNAs and other factors in coordinating
transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms for robust temporal control of
development, particularly in the context of deeply conserved microRNAs and microRNA target
motifs. We will investigate the relationship of the periodic components of worm development --
particularly molting and larval diapause – to the progressive advancement of stage identify and
cell fate progression, with the aim of testing hypotheses for how cell divisions and cell fate
transitions are coordinated on the organism level.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10147889
- **Project number:** 5R35GM131741-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Victor Ambros
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $820,328
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-05-01 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10147889

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10147889, Genetic control of developmental timing (5R35GM131741-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10147889. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*