NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Disease models to study autoimmune diseases and test therapies

Official title: Disease Modeling Unit

Funded at Jackson Laboratory · NIH-11393947 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A program to create and test animal models of human autoimmune diseases so researchers can understand disease mechanisms and try new treatments.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionJackson Laboratory
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Bar Harbor, United States)
Project startSeptember 1, 2020
Project endAugust 31, 2030
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$954,653
NIH project number5U54OD030187-07
Project IDNIH-11393947 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Not applicable to patients directly; this grant supports model development that could benefit patients through future therapies.

Less likely to help

Patients are not directly recruited for this grant, and immediate clinical benefits are not the focus.

What this research studies

The Disease Modeling Unit at The Jackson Laboratory uses advanced genome editing and comprehensive phenotyping to build and validate complex in vivo models of autoimmune diseases. It emphasizes humanized models, diverse genetic backgrounds, and precise allele design to better reflect human conditions. Researchers access this pipeline and JAX’s tools to guide therapeutic testing in robust, translatable systems.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, these models could accelerate development of effective therapies for autoimmune diseases by providing better preclinical tests.

How similar studies have gone: Prior work with humanized and allele-specific models has improved translational relevance, showing promise for predicting human responses.

Where this research is happening

  • Jackson Laboratory
    Bar Harbor, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Murray, Stephen a — Jackson Laboratory
  • Study coordinator: Murray, Stephen a

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.