Creating artificial seminiferous tubules to help with male infertility
Official title: Biofabricating Seminiferous Tubules for In Vitro Spermatogenesis
Funded at Pennsylvania State University, the · NIH-10800970 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new way to create tiny structures that mimic the natural environment for sperm production, which could help improve treatments for male infertility and offer better options for those struggling to conceive.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State University, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (University Park, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $413,843 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HD114044-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10800970 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are men experiencing infertility due to failed spermatogenesis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infertility not related to spermatogenesis or those with other underlying health issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new method to create artificial seminiferous tubules that mimic the natural environment where sperm is produced. By using advanced micro-extrusion technology, the researchers aim to fabricate these tubules with the correct cellular organization and composition found in the human body. This innovative approach could allow for more effective in vitro spermatogenesis, which is crucial for understanding and treating male infertility. Patients may benefit from improved diagnostic and therapeutic options for infertility as a result of this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for male infertility, potentially restoring fertility in affected individuals.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been advancements in testis cell culture systems, this specific approach to biofabricating seminiferous tubules is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State University, the
University Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lei, Yuguo — Pennsylvania State University, the
- Study coordinator: Lei, Yuguo
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.