Research Highlights from the Division of Intramural Research (DIR)

DIR provides fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems through basic, clinical, and population-based research. Review the following slideshow to learn about select scientific advances from each affinity group.

An artist’s rendition of a light blue DNA strand on the left side, against a dark, multi-colored dotted background.

Exploring Links Between Genetic Ancestry and Fetal Growth

NICHD researchers study various factors that influence healthy pregnancies and optimal outcomes. Learn about findings from the Epidemiology Branch on how genetic ancestry influences fetal growth and maternal risk for type 2 diabetes.

Gloved hand holding a magnifying glass to examine a plastic model of an ovary.

Unraveling Causes of Primary Ovarian Insufficiency

Many girls and women with galactosemia, an inherited condition in which the body is unable to metabolize the simple sugar galactose, develop primary ovarian insufficiency. Learn about work from the Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Program to understand the underlying mechanisms.

Chromosomes are shown in blue, pink, and yellow during various stages of prophase and prometaphase. The nuclei are arranged in a circular clock pattern.

Discovering How Chromosomes Pair During Sperm Formation

During the creation of egg or sperm cells—a specialized cell division called meiosis—maternal and paternal chromosome copies need to find each other for genetic recombination before the cell divides. Learn about work from the Rosin Lab on how this process is regulated in sperm.

Model of the glucose molecule.

Evaluating Gene Editing to Treat a Rare Disease

People with glycogen storage disease type Ia (GSD-Ia) cannot maintain blood sugar levels, causing seizures, growth problems, and other issues. Learn about work from the Chou Lab to correct the genetic variation that underlies GSD-Ia.

Three strands of DNA run horizontal, and each strand has sections of DNA wrapped around histones and other sections that are open.

Understanding How Microglia Develop in the Brain

Microglia are a type of immune cell found in the brain, and these cells are responsible for development and maintenance of a healthy brain throughout life. Learn about work from the Ozato Lab on understanding the genetic programs underlying microglia development.

Four panels show blue cell nuclei surrounded by white dots representing ARMH3 against a black background. In the top panels, labeled WT, the white dots are highly concentrated just outside the nuclei. In the bottom panels, labeled ARL5 KO, the dots are distributed more diffusely.

Probing the Cell’s Protein-Sorting Network

ARL5 works as a “molecular switch” at the cell’s protein-distribution center by regulating protein modifications and retrieval of recycled transport machinery. Learn about work by the Bonifacino Lab that expands upon ARL5’s function and interacting partners.

Three dimensional DNA strands in a double helix are blue against blue background. In the center is a bright sun-like dot.

Discovering Critical Roles for Sequences that Set the 3D Structure of DNA

Genes can be regulated at the physical level, where structural loops are able to recruit or impair DNA transcription. Learn about work from the Rocha Lab on how disruption of small regulatory sequences responsible for these loops can have outsized effects on development.

Girl sitting on bench, hunched, holding knees.

Illuminating Early Indicators of Suicide Vulnerability

Growing evidence suggests that vulnerability to suicide is partly established early in life. Learn about work from the Social and Behavioral Sciences Branch assessing these early indicators.

DNA sequencing is visualized as rows of rectangles in shades of purple, orange, and gold along the entire background. On the right side, a DNA strand runs vertical.

Linking the Role of Iron-Sulfur Enzymes to Human Health and Disease

Iron is an essential trace element for all living organisms and plays a crucial role in various physiological processes. This activity relies on iron-sulfur enzymes and related proteins within cells. Learn about work from the Rouault Lab on a disorder caused by mutations in the CIAO1 gene that affects iron-sulfur proteins.

The top diagram is a line with segments labeled yellow, purple, gray, and green. The microscopy images are in two rows with four panels each, showing segments of spinal cord against a black background.

Developing New Methods to Image and Reconstitute Complex Proteins

Neurexins are complex proteins critical for the formation of synapses, which connect neurons and help transmit signals. Learn about work from the Serpe Lab on a new method to image, track, and reconstitute neurexins.

Two blue and green whiplike structures against a black background. The one on the left, labeled “wild-type,” is straight and has a network of red dots connected by pink lines running throughout. The one on the right, labeled “flgV deletion,” is kinked and has fewer red dots that are not well-connected by pink lines.

Understanding How Lyme Bacteria Move

Understanding how Lyme bacteria move, replicate, and divide inside their hosts provides key insights into the biology of the disease. Learn about work from NICHD researchers to understand the regulation of whiplike structures that help bacteria move.

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