AI-powered microfluidic system to restore fertility in men with azoospermia
Official title: Scaling the STAR System: An AI-Guided Microfluidic Platform to Restore Fertility in Men with Azoospermia
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11456661 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new AI-guided device helps doctors find and recover extremely rare sperm from men with azoospermia to enable potential fertility treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $385,433 |
| NIH project number | 1R61HD123541-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11456661 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Men with azoospermia who may have rare motile sperm suitable for assisted reproduction.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without retrievable sperm or those not pursuing fertility treatment may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to turn the STAR system into a clinic-friendly platform that can be used by standard lab staff in fertility centers across the country. It combines artificial intelligence with a microfluidic device to scan millions of cells in real time, identify rare motile sperm, and recover them for use in procedures like ICSI. The approach builds on prior clinical use that showed better sperm detection and outcomes, and it plans to simplify the system so more clinics can adopt it. If successful, the platform could expand reproductive options for men who currently have few choices.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the platform could increase the number of patients who can pursue sperm retrieval and assisted reproduction.
How similar studies have gone: Previous clinical use showed improved detection rates and concordance with embryo outcomes, suggesting real potential for broader adoption.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Williams, Zev — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Williams, Zev
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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.