A 3D map of cell types across the human brain
Spatial genomics and cell atlas of the human brain
This project will create a detailed three-dimensional map of the different cell types in the human brain, including how they change with age.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11264938 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use donated human brain tissue and advanced imaging to read many genes inside single cells while keeping each cell in its original location. They will expand a method called MERFISH to image faster, capture 3D volumes, and combine gene activity with epigenetic information. The team will use these data to classify cell types and map how cells sit next to and interact with each other across brain regions. The work includes samples from aging brains to reveal age-related changes in cell types and their organization.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people who can enroll in brain-donation or tissue-banking programs, including older adults and people with diagnosed brain conditions who agree to postmortem donation or share clinical data.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate treatment or direct therapeutic benefit should not expect direct personal benefit from this project, as it focuses on mapping and basic discovery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help scientists discover new disease mechanisms, identify cell types linked to brain disorders, and guide future targeted therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Related single-cell and spatial-mapping projects have successfully mapped cell types in parts of the brain and advanced research, but this project scales those methods to larger 3D volumes and adds multimodal measurements.
Where this research is happening
Cambridge, United States
- Harvard University — Cambridge, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhuang, Xiaowei — Harvard University
- Study coordinator: Zhuang, Xiaowei
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.