Engineering patient avatars to study GVHD after bone marrow transplant
Official title: Engineering patient avatars of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to study GvHD
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11428942 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are creating patient-specific lab models of the gut, liver, and blood to better understand and prevent GVHD after bone marrow transplant, with a focus on children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $794,774 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI201543-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11428942 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pediatric bone marrow transplant recipients and donors whose tissues are used to create patient-specific organotypic cultures.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not eligible for bone marrow transplantation or those not contributing tissues to the culture models may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project will build a multi-tissue organotypic culture platform using tissues from pediatric bone marrow transplant recipients to mimic the immune interactions that drive acute GVHD. The model will combine gut, liver, and blood components to recreate donor–recipient immune responses and the effects of gut ulcers in a controlled setting. By using patient-specific tissues, the study aims to identify personalized mechanisms and potential targeted therapies to reduce GVHD risk after transplant. The work will advance precision approaches in transplant immunology and may guide future individualized treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from more targeted strategies to prevent or mitigate GVHD after bone marrow transplantation, including personalized therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Prior in vitro models have limitations; this project proposes a more comprehensive patient-specific platform, representing a relatively novel approach with early translational potential.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Trapecar, Martin — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Trapecar, Martin
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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.