Creating tiny capsules to turn stem cells into liver cells
Official title: Engineering microcapsules for scalable differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into hepatocytes
Funded at Mayo Clinic Rochester · NIH-11045710 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on creating a special system that uses stem cells to grow liver cells, which could help people with liver failure while they wait for a transplant or recover.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $555,713 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK137231-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11045710 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from acute or chronic liver failure who may benefit from bioartificial liver support.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable liver function or those who do not require liver support may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing bioartificial liver systems that can help patients with liver failure by using human pluripotent stem cells to create liver cells (hepatocytes) in a scalable way. The approach involves engineering microcapsules that facilitate the differentiation of these stem cells into functional liver cells, which can then perform essential liver functions such as detoxification and protein synthesis. By addressing the shortage of transplantable organs, this research aims to provide a bridge for patients awaiting liver transplants or recovering from liver failure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new source of liver cells for patients with liver failure, potentially improving their chances of recovery or survival while waiting for a transplant.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using stem cells for liver cell differentiation, but this specific approach using engineered microcapsules is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Revzin, Alexander — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Revzin, Alexander
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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.