Creating blood stem cells from human stem cells in the lab
Official title: A microRNA-mediated approach towards generating functional hematopoietic stem cells from human pluripotent stem cells in vitro
Funded at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · NIH-10810589 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a way to create blood stem cells in the lab that could be used for transplants, which might help patients with blood disorders get the treatment they need without having to wait for a matching donor.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | September 29, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $459,250 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AG078872-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10810589 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients suffering from blood diseases who require hematopoietic stem cell transplants.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-hematological conditions or those who do not require stem cell transplantation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a method for producing transplantable hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) in a laboratory setting. By understanding the molecular differences between functional HSCs and those generated in vitro, the researchers will manipulate specific microRNAs to enhance the development of functional blood stem cells. This approach could potentially eliminate the need for patients to wait for a compatible bone marrow donor, providing a more accessible treatment option for various blood disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a reliable source of blood stem cells for patients with hematological disorders, significantly improving treatment accessibility.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of generating functional HSCs from PSCs is innovative, preliminary data suggests that similar strategies have shown promise in related research.
Where this research is happening
-
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Panopoulos, Athanasia — Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Panopoulos, Athanasia
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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.