Seham Ebrahim, PhD
Seham Ebrahim, PhD, an assistant professor in the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, has been awarded a $2.4 million R01 grant from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to investigate the molecular mechanisms driving sperm development.
The funded project, titled “Membrane protein-mediated signaling as a driver of spermiogenesis: Investigating new molecules and mechanisms,” focuses on how membrane proteins regulate the intricate signaling pathways that shape sperm maturation, a process known as spermiogenesis. This work builds on recent discoveries by the Ebrahim Lab identifying novel ion channels and membrane-associated proteins critical for sperm development and function.
“Male infertility affects millions of families worldwide, yet the molecular underpinnings of sperm maturation remain poorly understood,” said Dr. Ebrahim.
“By uncovering how these membrane proteins coordinate signaling and structural remodeling in developing sperm, we hope to open new avenues for diagnosing and treating infertility and potentially for developing non-hormonal male contraceptives.”
This research combines advanced imaging, molecular biology, and functional assays. The findings could lead to transformative insights into male reproductive health and inform strategies for both fertility preservation and contraception.
Filed Under: Research