Detailed molecular maps of developing urinary and reproductive organs
Creating high-resolution multi-omics molecular atlases for developing urogenital organs
This project will create high-resolution molecular maps of how urinary and reproductive organs develop to help scientists understand causes of urogenital problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11140466 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You can think of this project as building detailed 3-D molecular maps that show how cells in the urinary and reproductive organs form and connect. Researchers will use single-nucleus RNA sequencing and snATAC-seq to read gene activity and epigenetic signals in individual cells, then combine those data into spatial maps so each cell type's location is clear. The work focuses on the lower urinary tract, selected male reproductive organs, kidney vasculature, lymphatics, and associated nerves. The team will leverage infrastructure from large atlas projects to produce transcriptome-wide, single-cell resolution maps that may guide future diagnostics and therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would include tissue donors or families affected by congenital urogenital conditions who can provide samples or consent for use of clinical specimens.
Not a fit: People with health issues unrelated to the urinary or reproductive systems are unlikely to see direct benefits from this atlas in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these maps could improve understanding of congenital and developmental urogenital disorders and point toward better diagnostics and treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Prior atlas efforts like GUDMAP and other organ-mapping projects have produced useful reference maps, and this project extends those methods with newer single-cell and spatial techniques.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Feng — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Chen, Feng
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.