Chromatin clues to how neural stem cells grow into specific brain cells
Official title: Chromatin-based regulation of neural stem cells
Funded at Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco · NIH-11528556 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study exploring how a chromatin regulator shapes neural stem cells to make the right brain cells, with potential relevance to neurological conditions affecting adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX000252-16 |
| Project ID | NIH-11528556 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with neurological conditions where neural stem cell therapies or drug discovery using neural cells may be relevant in the future.
✕Less likely to help
People not directly involved in or affected by neurological disorders may not benefit from this basic science grant.
What this research studies
This project looks at how neural stem cells in the brain decide which neurons and glia to become, guided by a chromatin regulator called MLL1. By studying postnatal and adult brain regions where these stem cells reside, researchers aim to understand how regional identity is remembered and how it influences cell production. The work could inform future therapies that use neural stem cells for brain repair or for drug discovery and development. It involves careful laboratory studies to map the molecular signals that control cell fate. Results could pave the way for more precise stem-cell–based approaches to treat neurological injuries and diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could improve stem-cell–based therapies for brain injuries and neurodegenerative diseases by enabling more targeted generation of neural cell types.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that chromatin regulators like MLL1 influence neural stem cell fate, suggesting this approach is promising but still exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lim, Daniel a — Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Lim, Daniel a
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.