Digital twins of the spleen to help design better therapies for sickle cell disease
Official title: Digital twins of the spleen to accelerate the design and development of new therapies in sickle cell disease
Funded at Brown University · NIH-11627935 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A computer-driven replica of the spleen is being developed to speed up creating safer and more effective treatments for people with sickle cell disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | August 19, 2020 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $140,940 |
| NIH project number | 3R01HL154150-06S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11627935 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with sickle cell disease across a range of ages who may be affected by splenic function and anemia could benefit from findings.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without sickle cell disease or those not affected by splenic issues may not benefit from this study.
What this research studies
This project builds a digital model of the spleen to understand how it handles abnormal red blood cells in sickle cell disease. Researchers will integrate clinical data with microfluidic and imaging insights to simulate spleen function and RBC deformability. The goal is to identify treatment strategies that reduce the need for splenectomy, lessen anemia, and improve quality of life, including for children. The work combines clinical observations with advanced simulations to guide future therapies, including existing drugs and newer options.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the digital spleen could accelerate the development of safer therapies and help keep the spleen functioning, improving outcomes for people with sickle cell disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that modeling and simulation approaches can inform treatment choices, with early signals suggesting potential for improved management of splenic complications in SCD.
Where this research is happening
-
Brown University
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Karniadakis, George — Brown University
- Study coordinator: Karniadakis, George
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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.