University of Michigan — Research on Mammalian Gamete Development (2019)

[Transformative Basic Science] Grant Investigators: Chris Somerville and Heather Youngs This page was reviewed but not written by the grant investigators. University of Michigan staff also reviewed this page prior to publication. The Open Philanthropy Project recommended a grant of $2,500,000 over four years to the University of Michigan to support research by Professor Sue Hammoud on mammalian gamete development. Dr. Hammoud’s proposed research would be specifically focused on development of gametes from stem cells. Progress in this area could eventually enable people with fertility challenges to have children and could eventually help reduce the incidence of a wide variety of high-burden disorders (such as heart disease, chronic pain, depression, and Alzheimer’s disease) and promote other positive outcomes. Dr. Hammoud’s research is amongst the most promising our science team has encountered so far in this field. This grant falls within our interest in funding scientific research, and specifically within our interest in advancing transformative basic science.