A detailed cellular and gene map of the human bladder and ureter across the lifespan
High resolution transcriptome and gene regulatory mapping of human ureter and bladder across the lifespan
This project will map which cells and genes make up healthy human bladders and ureters at different ages to help improve understanding and future treatments for urinary problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11141047 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project will create a detailed, cell-by-cell atlas of the human bladder and ureter from people across the lifespan. Researchers will use donated organs from deceased donors and apply single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics to identify which genes each cell type expresses and where those cells sit in the tissue. Samples will be taken from multiple specific anatomic locations and from three age groups to capture changes from youth to older age. The resulting atlas will be shared with scientists to guide new diagnostics and treatments for common lower urinary tract conditions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project relies on donated organs from deceased donors of various ages rather than enrolling living patients, so ideal 'participants' are individuals (or their families) who can consent to posthumous tissue donation.
Not a fit: People seeking direct, immediate medical benefit or a new treatment should not expect personal clinical benefit from participating since this is a tissue-mapping research project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the atlas could reveal new targets and biomarkers that lead to better diagnostics and therapies for conditions like UTIs, incontinence, BPH, and painful bladder syndromes.
How similar studies have performed: Single-cell and spatial mapping approaches have successfully characterized many other human organs, so the methods are proven, though detailed high-resolution maps of the lower urinary tract are relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Cleveland, United States
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru — Cleveland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wessely, Oliver — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
- Study coordinator: Wessely, Oliver
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.