A central resource for analyzing brain tumor samples
Official title: Core 1: Biospecimens Core
Funded at Massachusetts Institute of Technology · NIH-10930081 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working to improve treatments for glioblastoma, a type of brain tumor, by collecting and analyzing samples from both patients and animals to better understand how the tumor behaves and responds to different therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $316,740 |
| NIH project number | 5U54CA283114-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10930081 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with glioblastoma who are undergoing surgical treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of brain tumors or those not undergoing surgery may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a core facility that provides important biological samples from both animals and humans to study glioblastoma, a type of brain tumor. It utilizes patient-derived xenografts and genetically engineered mouse models to better understand tumor biology and treatment responses. By analyzing surgical specimens from patients, the research aims to validate findings from animal models and improve the relevance of preclinical studies. The project collaborates with leading neurosurgeons and utilizes a biobank for comprehensive sample collection and analysis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for patients with glioblastoma.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research using similar animal models and patient-derived samples has shown promise in advancing our understanding of glioblastoma treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sarkaria, Jann N. — Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Sarkaria, Jann N.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
PhysioNet: A trusted, open data repository for clinical and physiological data
A publicly accessible platform provides curated clinical and physiological data and tools to help researchers develop and test AI models for better healthcare.
-
Dormancy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: How Liver and Skin Metastases Go Quiet or Reactivate
Researchers will study how dormant cancer cells in liver and skin metastases of triple-negative breast cancer become quiescent or wake up, using organ-on-chip models and single-cell analysis to map chromatin states.
-
Single-cell, label-free mapping of senescence in tissues with Raman imaging and spatial genomics
A project to map how senescent cells differ across tissues using a noninvasive Raman imaging method combined with spatial genomics.
-
Structures and dynamics of virus ion channels
This project studies the tiny channels in certain influenza and coronavirus viruses to understand how they let ions pass through and contribute to disease.
-
Prospect: Stem Cell Models for Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Prevention
Researchers at MIT are using stem cell models to understand why colorectal cancer is rising in people under 50 and how to prevent it.
-
MATCHMAKERS: AI tools to predict TCR binding and design
Researchers are building AI tools to predict how T cell receptors recognize tumor antigens, with aims to help improve targeted immunotherapies.
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.