Developing tools to access all brain cell types for better understanding and treatment of neurological disorders
Official title: A germline- and promoter-independent strategy to gain access to all cell types in the brain
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-10651435 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new tools to help scientists better understand different types of brain cells, which could lead to improved treatments for brain-related conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $3,418,721 |
| NIH project number | 1RF1MH130782-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10651435 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with neurological disorders or conditions that affect brain function.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to neurological disorders may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to create innovative tools that allow scientists to study various cell types in the brain more effectively. By utilizing advanced technologies like high-throughput sequencing and a novel AAV-based targeting system, the project seeks to bypass traditional methods that are often labor-intensive and limited. The goal is to generate a library of tools that can target 50 different brain cell types in both mice and marmosets, facilitating a deeper understanding of brain function and the development of treatments for neurological disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to significant advancements in the treatment of neurological disorders by providing better tools for understanding brain cell functions.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success with similar CRISPR-based approaches, indicating potential for this novel methodology.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lu, Baisong — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Lu, Baisong
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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.