A new genomic method to map how new brain cells form and change in aging and Alzheimer’s
Development of novel genomic approaches for profiling cellular temporal-spatial dynamics of neurogenesis in Aging and Alzheimer's disease
Developing a faster, lower-cost way to map individual brain cells from older adults and people with Alzheimer’s to see how new neurons form and change over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rockefeller University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11303349 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are building a high-throughput single-cell genomics method called sciNext1000 to profile millions of brain cells and capture very rare cell states involved in adult neurogenesis. They will analyze about four million cells from post-mortem human hippocampus samples and compare findings with mouse brains to chart temporal and spatial changes during aging and Alzheimer’s. The goal is to identify molecular signatures of abnormal cell states that may underlie cognitive decline. This work focuses on laboratory analysis of tissue samples rather than testing treatments in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal contributors are older adults and people with Alzheimer’s (or their families) who can arrange consent for post-mortem hippocampal tissue donation through brain donation programs.
Not a fit: People looking for immediate treatment options are unlikely to benefit directly because the project analyzes tissue to generate biological knowledge rather than providing clinical interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal molecular changes that point to new targets for diagnostics or future therapies for aging-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s.
How similar studies have performed: Single-cell genomics has successfully mapped many brain cell types before, but applying an ultra-high-throughput approach to capture extremely rare adult neurogenic cells in human hippocampus is relatively new and not yet widely validated.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Rockefeller University — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cao, Junyue — Rockefeller University
- Study coordinator: Cao, Junyue
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.