NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Biospecimens Core for glioblastoma research

Official title: Core 1: Biospecimens Core

Funded at Massachusetts Institute of Technology · NIH-11420571 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A center-led program will provide high-quality human and animal tumor samples to advance glioblastoma research and translation.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMassachusetts Institute of Technology
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Cambridge, United States)
Project startSeptember 15, 2023
Project endAugust 31, 2028
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$329,154
NIH project number5U54CA283114-04
Project IDNIH-11420571 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Patients with glioblastoma who contribute tissue samples or participate in related biobanking activities, and individuals whose tissues may be used in correlative studies.

Less likely to help

Individuals not able to provide tissue or participate in associated biobanking activities may not directly benefit.

What this research studies

This grant supports a Biospecimens Core that coordinates access to patient-derived samples, animal models, and derived cultures (like organoids) to study glioblastoma. It integrates samples from neurosurgical patients and preclinical models (PDXs and GEMMs) to connect lab findings with real tumors. The core collaborates with top medical centers to ensure samples are well-characterized and suitable for translating discoveries into potential therapies. Researchers use these materials to map signaling pathways and test pharmacologic effects across both animal and human specimens, with reverse-translation opportunities to refine models.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from accelerated discovery of effective glioblastoma treatments guided by well-matched human and animal samples.

How similar studies have gone: Prior work with matched human and animal samples has helped validate translational findings in glioblastoma, supporting this approach's potential.

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.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.