# Diversity Supplement to Integrated Transporter Elucidation Center

> **NIH NIH UC2** · RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES · 2024 · $81,359

## Abstract

PARENT GRANT ABSTRACT
Given their physiochemical properties, medications and dietary supplements often require active transport
using solute carriers (SLC) and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters to cross trophoblast barriers. These
same transporters are also involved in the delivery of nutrients to the fetus and one unintentional consequence
of drug therapy during pregnancy can be disruption of these shared systems. Therefore, understanding the
interplay between SLC and ABC transporters in the placental disposition of drugs and nutrients is one key step
to optimizing therapeutic interventions that improve perinatal healthcare. Our research team has championed
the advancement of novel approaches to study SLC and ABC transporters in the placenta. To expand these
efforts, we have created the Integrated Transporter Elucidation Center (InTEC) which leverages translational
research expertise across 4 academic institutions. Our central hypothesis is that novel regulation and functions
of placental transporters can be elucidated using integrated experimental, epidemiological, and modeling
approaches. Together, data and models generated can predict the placental disposition of therapeutics and
nutrients and their subsequent effects on fetal development. To accomplish this goal, we will 1) identify critical
factors that regulate placental transporters using state-of-the-art quantitative targeted absolute proteomics and
genetics in a US-based birth cohort; 2) develop a novel computational modeling framework that predicts
maternal-fetal chemical disposition according to placental transporter functions and regulation; and 3) evaluate
SLC and ABC transport in novel placenta-on-a-chip microphysiological systems. We will test nutrients,
supplements, drugs, and toxicants as substrates and inhibitors of placental transporters. InTEC will enable
rapid acceleration of placenta transporter research and establish best practices for transporter biology.
Resources and datasets will be disseminated via our CIIPro webportal created in 2017. Unique training
opportunities will be provided to early career scientists (undergraduate students, MS/MPH/PhD students, and
postdoc fellows) and clinicians (obstetrics residents and fellows) at the intersections of pharmacology,
computational biology, public health, maternal-fetal medicine, and biomedical engineering. Through innovative
research and training, InTEC will lead to novel breakthroughs in the field of placental transport and ensure a
well-trained workforce to improve maternal and perinatal health.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11089683
- **Project number:** 3UC2HD113039-02S1
- **Recipient organization:** RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** Lauren M Aleksunes
- **Activity code:** UC2 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $81,359
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2023-09-14 → 2028-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11089683

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11089683, Diversity Supplement to Integrated Transporter Elucidation Center (3UC2HD113039-02S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11089683. Licensed CC0.

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