A bank of human cells and data to support Alzheimer’s, ALS and other brain-disease work
The NINDS Human Cell and Data Repository (U24 renewal)
This project collects and shares donated patient cells and genetic data to help scientists study Alzheimer’s, ALS and related brain disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Piscataway, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11219039 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers collect skin and blood samples from adults with neurodegenerative conditions and turn those cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) that can be grown into brain cell types in the lab. The repository also creates genetically matched control lines using CRISPR so differences from a person’s genetic background are reduced. Stored cell lines and linked data are distributed to qualified labs and collaborators to enable “disease-in-a-dish” experiments, drug testing, and biological studies. The resource aims to represent diverse genetic backgrounds and diagnoses to make lab models more useful across patient groups.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (typically 21+) diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, dystonia, or individuals with known genetic forms of these disorders who can provide blood or skin samples.
Not a fit: People seeking a direct clinical treatment or those unable or unwilling to provide tissue or blood samples are unlikely to receive direct benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this resource could speed up understanding of disease mechanisms and the preclinical testing of new treatments for Alzheimer’s, ALS and other brain diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Collections of patient-derived iPSCs and use of CRISPR-made isogenic controls have been used successfully in many lab studies and this repository builds on those established approaches.
Where this research is happening
Piscataway, United States
- Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. — Piscataway, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Knowles, James a — Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
- Study coordinator: Knowles, James a
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.