Center to map human pain tissues
INTERCEPT: Integrated Research Center for human Pain Tissues
Using donated human nerve and spinal tissues, researchers will create detailed maps of the cells and genes involved in chronic pain to help people with persistent pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11193849 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You might be asked to donate nerve or related tissue or allow use of surgical or post-mortem samples so scientists can study the actual cells involved in human pain. The team will use advanced lab methods like single-nucleus RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and multiplex proteomics to catalog which genes and proteins are present in specific cell types. Powerful computing and genomic analysis at Washington University's McDonnell Genome Institute will be used to organize and interpret the data. The goal is a comprehensive human peripheral nerve and pain-neuraxis atlas that can guide future treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with chronic neuropathic or traumatic nerve pain or patients undergoing surgeries where nerve or pain-related tissues could be safely donated for research.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate pain relief or direct treatment should not expect personal benefit, because this project focuses on tissue mapping rather than offering experimental therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new targets for non-opioid pain treatments and lead to safer, more effective therapies for chronic pain.
How similar studies have performed: Related human tissue atlas projects have produced valuable insights into cell types and disease biology, and this program builds on that promising work by focusing specifically on human pain tissues.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gereau, Robert W — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Gereau, Robert W
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.