# Penn Center for Study of Epigenetics in Reproduction

> **NIH NIH P50** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 2024 · $1,503,285

## Abstract

The Penn Center for the Study of Epigenetics in Reproduction (PennCSER) will elucidate epigenetic
mechanisms that govern male and female reproduction, contribute to male infertility and impact development
of mouse and human concepti conceived through Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART). The PennCSER
centerpiece is 4 integrated, innovative research projects, spearheaded by experienced leaders in the areas of
epigenetics and reproduction. The Center also features an Outreach program that has been in place for more
than 10 years; the Penn Academy of Reproductive Sciences uses hands on laboratory experiences and
interactive lectures to educate high school students, largely from the Philadelphia area schools, in the
reproductive sciences. The clinical project (Project 1, Senapati, Mainigi, Coutifaris, and Ghosh) will assess the
impact of oocyte vitrification, including advanced maternal age, on DNA methylation and gene expression in
embryonic (cord blood) and placenta tissues in IVF pregnancies. Additionally, the association between ART
interventions, an altered placental or cord blood epigenome, perinatal outcomes and childhood metabolic
health will be investigated. Project 2 (Bartolomei) will closely parallel Project 1 by using a validated mouse
model to study the effect of ART laboratory manipulations on epigenetic gene regulation and physiological
outcomes in conceptuses and adults. Project 2 will address the question of whether oocyte vitrification impacts
epigenetic gene regulation and placental morphology and will also determine if altered oxygen concentration
underlies adverse ART outcomes. Project 3 (Mainigi and Huh) will utilize a novel in vitro organ-on-a-chip
system and iPSC-derived trophoblasts to study mechanisms underlying placental sexual dimorphism and,
specifically, how sex chromosomes and sex steroids impact human trophoblast differentiation and invasion.
The project will also explore how specific interventions associated with ART lead to sexually dimorphic effects
in trophoblast behavior, the epigenome and the transcriptome. Project 4 (Wang) will examine the TEX15
protein, which is required for meiosis and male fertility, and is a novel epigenetic regulator essential for
retrotransposon silencing. This project will determine the epigenetic state associated with retrotransposon
activation in Tex15-deficient germ cells and also examine the novel function of TEX15 and its interacting
partner, TASOR2, in spermiogenesis. Finally, the project will model human male infertility using a unique
Tex15 revertant mosaic mouse model. PennCSER will not only provide training to clinicians, physician
scientists, and basic research fellows in the area of epigenetics but also provide PennCSER’s expertise to the
NCTRI and associated program members.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10992939
- **Project number:** 2P50HD068157-11A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **Principal Investigator:** MARISA S. BARTOLOMEI
- **Activity code:** P50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $1,503,285
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2011-05-01 → 2028-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10992939

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10992939, Penn Center for Study of Epigenetics in Reproduction (2P50HD068157-11A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-08-01 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10992939. Licensed CC0.

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