3D single-cell molecular map of the adult human kidney
Kidney single cell and spatial molecular atlas project - KIDSSMAP
This project builds detailed 3D maps of the adult human kidney at single-cell resolution to help researchers better understand kidney structure and function.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11126756 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers are creating a multimodal, three-dimensional atlas of healthy adult human kidneys by combining high-resolution imaging and single-cell molecular tools. They will use techniques that read gene activity and chromatin state in individual cells, map where RNAs and proteins sit in tissue, and make 3D anatomical maps of tiny functional units across the kidney. The team focuses on non-diseased adult kidney tissue and will link cell types, neighborhoods, and structures across scales. The resulting atlas will be searchable and meant to guide future studies of kidney disease and repair.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults (typically 21 or older) able to donate non-diseased kidney tissue during planned surgical procedures or through consenting organ/tissue donation programs affiliated with the project.
Not a fit: People with active, advanced kidney disease or children are less likely to directly benefit from or be eligible to donate tissue for this project focused on healthy adult kidneys.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this atlas could reveal how healthy kidneys are organized at the cellular level and point to new markers or targets that improve diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Other large atlas efforts like HuBMAP and the Human Cell Atlas have successfully mapped tissues and early kidney work exists, but this project's integrated multimodal 3D approach is more extensive and partly novel.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jain, Sanjay — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Jain, Sanjay
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.