Wen Public Health receives $1.9 million grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences
Environmental toxicology researcher to unlock how early development shapes health
Every person begins as a single cell, which divides and specializes in forming the body’s organs and systems. This process is carefully timed and tightly controlled but when something disrupts it, it can lead to birth defects or other lifelong health challenges.
Nicole Sparks, PhD, assistant professor of environmental & occupational health at the UC Irvine Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health has received a prestigious $1.9 million Outstanding Investigator Award (MIRA, R35) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences to investigate epigenetics, the chemical instructions that act like on/off switches for our genes. By receiving this award, Sparks joins an elite group of leading investigators selected for their exceptional track record and potential for future innovation.
“This award is an incredible opportunity,” said Sparks. “The R35 provides stable, long-term funding so that my lab can take risks, explore new directions, and follow the science wherever it leads. That flexibility is essential for understanding something as complex as how a single cell becomes a whole human body.”
The Sparks Lab will focus on two key epigenetic players: DNA methylation and microRNAs. These molecules help guide cells to “choose” their fates, from forming the brain and spinal cord to becoming muscle, bone, or other tissues. Using cutting-edge technologies, including advanced stem cell models, imaging techniques, and gene activity mapping, her team will uncover how these molecules work together to guide healthy development, particularly in neural crest and mesoderm lineages, and what happens when the process goes off track.
“This research will help us understand the earliest building blocks of life,” Sparks explained. “By learning how these molecular signals guide healthy development, we hope to uncover the underlying mechanisms of birth defects and open the door to better ways to prevent or treat developmental conditions.”
This research is expected to deepen our understanding of the epigenetic and molecular pathways underlying developmental disorders and provide insights into how stem cells can be used to repair or regenerate damaged tissue. In the long term, the findings could help identify early warning signs of developmental problems, leading to better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
The potential findings are a significant step toward unraveling the molecular choreography of human development, paving the way for new approaches to prevent and treat developmental conditions and strengthening Wen Public Health’s role as a leader in stem cell biology and public health research.