Developing systems to mimic human testis development
Official title: Organizing and Reorganizing Human Testis Development In Vitro
Funded at Magee-Women's Res Inst and Foundation · NIH-10934359 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring new ways to grow human testes and produce sperm outside the body to help people who might struggle with infertility after cancer treatments or gender-affirming procedures, using special tissues from their testicles.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Magee-Women's Res Inst and Foundation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 22, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $523,911 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD114210-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10934359 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include prepubertal boys and transgender individuals undergoing gender-affirming treatments who have immature testicular tissues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk of infertility or those who have already completed their reproductive years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating advanced systems that replicate the development of human testes and the process of sperm production outside the body. It aims to help patients who may face infertility due to cancer treatments or gender-affirming procedures by utilizing immature testicular tissues. By studying these tissues, researchers hope to gain insights into testis development and create new technologies that could enable future reproductive options for patients. The project involves collaboration between multiple institutions and aims to establish benchmarks for evaluating progress in this innovative area.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide new reproductive options for patients who are at risk of infertility due to medical treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in similar approaches, particularly in the cryopreservation and maturation of immature testicular tissues.
Where this research is happening
-
Magee-Women's Res Inst and Foundation
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Orwig, Kyle Edwin — Magee-Women's Res Inst and Foundation
- Study coordinator: Orwig, Kyle Edwin
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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.