Creating human models to study taste and its changes
Official title: Development of human taste organoid models
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-10953109 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how our sense of taste can be influenced by things like medications and viruses by creating tiny models of taste buds from donated human cells, which could help us understand taste better and improve treatments for people who have taste-related issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $429,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DC022075-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10953109 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include adults who have experienced taste changes due to viral infections or cancer treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced any taste dysfunction or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing human taste organoid models to better understand how taste function can be affected by various factors, including drugs and viral infections. By using taste receptor cells obtained from organ donors, the researchers aim to create organoids that mimic human taste buds. This innovative approach allows for the investigation of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern taste homeostasis, which may differ from findings in animal models. The study will utilize advanced techniques to culture these cells and analyze their responses to different stimuli.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment of taste dysfunction in patients, particularly those affected by COVID-19 or cancer therapies.
How similar studies have gone: While organoid models have been successfully used in other areas of research, this specific application to human taste organoids is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barlow, Linda a — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Barlow, Linda a
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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.