# CALCIUM AND EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT

> **NIH NIH R01** · THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY · 1994 · $193,818

## Abstract

The long-term objective of this application is to understand the mechanisms
regulating calcium metabolism and the role of calcium in tissue
morphogenesis and physiological functions during embryonic development.
Chick embryos will be used as the experimental model and the experiments
will address the following specific aims: 1) to analyze the cellular and
molecular mechanisms of calcium transport by extraembryonic membranes, i.e.
the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and yolk sac (YS), using both cellular
and cell-free approaches, with particular attention to the developmental
and metabolic regulation of on of two calcium-binding proteins, transcalcin
of the CAM and calbindin-D28K of the YS; 2) to elucidate the functional
role of calcium and the mineralized matrix on cell differentiation in
intramembranous bone development, in particular the possible mediating role
of transforming growth factor beta; and 3) to determine the cellular
pathways, In particular cellular calcium handling, involved in abnormal
cardiovascular functions induced by systemic calcium deficiency during
development.  Chick embryos are uniquely suited for these studies since by
long-term culture without the eggshell, their primary calcium source, they
may be rendered highly calcium deficient.  By comparing normal and
shell-less (SL) embryos with respect to the above parameters, significant
insights may be gained into the functional importance of calcium in
embryogenesis.  In summary, the studies proposed here should provide
information on how Ca is translocated into the developing embryo to meet
its needs, how systemic Ca homeostasis is regulated, and how its proper
maintenance is important to skeletal development and cardiovascular
functions.  This multi-targeted project is realistically based on the
overall research interests and demonstrated strength of the laboratory, and
is expected to yield information useful and relevant to the general areas
of fetal development, and skeletal and cardiovascular biology.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2197249
- **Project number:** 5R01HD015822-11
- **Recipient organization:** THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** R8JEVL4ULGB7
- **Principal Investigator:** ROCKY S TUAN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $193,818
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1981-09-15 → 1997-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2197249

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2197249, CALCIUM AND EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT (5R01HD015822-11). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2197249. Licensed CC0.

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