Detailed cell-and-protein maps of the brain in Alzheimer's
Core C: Spatial Multiomics Core
Creating high-resolution maps of brain cells and proteins in people with and without Alzheimer's to link age, protein clumps, and blood vessel changes to altered cell patterns and gene activity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11180244 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This core develops standardized lab and imaging workflows that map where specific genes and proteins sit inside human brain tissue at single-cell resolution. It works mainly with donated postmortem brain samples from people with Alzheimer's and age-matched controls and generates spatial transcriptomics and multiplexed proteomics data. The Core coordinates with biospecimen and computational teams to produce, quality-control, and integrate large-scale datasets for multiple linked research projects. The goal is to make reproducible, shareable maps that researchers can use to study how risk factors change brain tissue organization.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with Alzheimer's disease (and age-matched controls) who are willing to join a brain donation program or have their postmortem tissue shared through affiliated brain banks.
Not a fit: People expecting immediate personal treatment benefits or those with unrelated neurological conditions are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from this core's work in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new biological signatures and targets that help diagnose, monitor, or treat Alzheimer's disease earlier and more precisely.
How similar studies have performed: Smaller-scale spatial transcriptomics and multiplex proteomics studies in human brain tissue have produced promising findings, but this large, standardized core approach is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Phatnani, Hemali — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Phatnani, Hemali
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 below.