Center for Multiomic Brain Cell Atlas
Official title: Center for Multiomic Human Brain Cell Atlas
Funded at Salk Institute for Biological Studies · NIH-11389616 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large NIH project will map the human brain at single-cell resolution to show where different brain cell types live and how they are regulated, helping scientists understand brain function and disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Salk Institute for Biological Studies NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $17,607,485 |
| NIH project number | 5UM1MH130994-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11389616 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals whose brain tissue is being studied under approved protocols or who may participate in related future studies through approved brain research programs.
✕Less likely to help
Direct personal benefit is unlikely for participants outside of approved brain-tissue research contexts; findings may take years to translate into care.
What this research studies
This project will create detailed maps of brain cells by combining gene expression, open chromatin, and DNA methylation in single cells from many brain regions. It will extend previous mouse work to map human brain cell types and their spatial locations, so researchers can link cell identities to brain function and disease. The effort uses advanced techniques to profile cells in more than 100 brain areas and integrate these data into comprehensive atlases that show where regulatory elements act. The results should improve our understanding of how brain cells differ and interact, potentially guiding new diagnostics and therapies. Participation would involve analyzing human brain tissue samples under strict ethical and biosafety standards.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: People may benefit from a more precise understanding of brain cell diversity and regulatory landscapes, which could inform future approaches to treating brain disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous single-cell brain maps in mice have guided understanding of brain organization; this project expands to human tissue with multiomic approaches, which is promising but still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
Salk Institute for Biological Studies
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ecker, Joseph R — Salk Institute for Biological Studies
- Study coordinator: Ecker, Joseph R
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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.