Creating a human spinal model to understand the causes of Spina Bifida.
Official title: Development of in vitro human spinal neural tube model to study genetic and environmental etiology of Spina Bifida.
Funded at University of Texas at Austin · NIH-10952832 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how genes and the environment can cause Spina Bifida by creating a 3D model of the spinal area using special stem cells, which will help us understand this condition better and find ways to prevent it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $213,945 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HD116028-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10952832 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a family history of Spina Bifida or those who are pregnant and concerned about the risk of this condition.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a genetic predisposition to Spina Bifida or who are not currently pregnant may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a three-dimensional model of the human spinal neural tube to investigate how genetic and environmental factors contribute to Spina Bifida, a common birth defect. By using human induced pluripotent stem cells, the researchers aim to recreate the conditions that lead to this condition, allowing for a better understanding of its etiology. The study will also involve creating a bioengineered model that mimics the human spinal environment, which could provide insights into how certain genes and environmental exposures interact during development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention strategies and treatments for Spina Bifida.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using similar in vitro models to study other congenital defects, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Sung Eun — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Kim, Sung Eun
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Improving care and outcomes for people living with spina bifida in Wisconsin
A patient-friendly project aims to improve everyday care and health outcomes for people with spina bifida in Wisconsin.
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The National Spina Bifida Patient Registry at University of Pittsburgh
A national registry project at the University of Pittsburgh aims to collect and organize information about people with spina bifida to improve care.
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Improving Care and Outcomes for People Living with Spina Bifida
A patient-friendly project aims to improve how people with spina bifida are cared for and how well they do over time.
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Scoliosis and neurosurgical factors in myelomeningocele: a clinic registry study
This project uses registry data from Penn State’s Spina Bifida Clinic to understand how brain and spine-related issues influence when and why scoliosis surgery is needed in people with myelomeningocele.
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UMPIRE: Better Urologic Care for Babies with Spina Bifida
This grant tests how to best protect kidney function in newborns with spina bifida by comparing and refining urologic care practices across multiple hospitals.
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Spina Bifida Collaborative Care Network to Improve Outcomes
A national program is expanding coordinated care networks and a patient registry to help people with Spina Bifida get better, more consistent care.
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.