FIND-seq: a new way to sort rare brain cells for study
Official title: FIND-seq: A Novel Cell Sorting Technology to Enable Investigation of Rare Cells in Primary Human Tissues
Funded at Vivid Bioinnovations, Pbc · NIH-11541993 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new technology called FIND-seq helps scientists isolate rare brain cells, like pathogenic astrocytes, from human tissue to study their role in neurodegenerative diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vivid Bioinnovations, Pbc NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 12, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,012,648 |
| NIH project number | 4R44AG091101-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11541993 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with CNS diseases or neurodegenerative conditions whose brain tissue or cells may be studied with this technology.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals or non-neurological conditions are unlikely to benefit from this specific technology translation.
What this research studies
This project develops FIND-seq, a cell-sorting method that can pull out rare cells using DNA or RNA markers even when no surface markers are known. It aims to translate the lab technique into a commercial product through Fluid Discovery and validate it in neurodegenerative disease contexts. The focus is on enabling precise profiling of affected brain cells, which could reveal new markers and pathways involved in CNS disorders. Researchers will test the technology's sensitivity and accuracy on human tissue samples to support future studies and potential diagnostics. By bringing this tool to market, scientists may accelerate discoveries that improve understanding and treatment of CNS diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, FIND-seq could accelerate discovery of disease-related brain cell profiles and support new diagnostics or therapies for CNS disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Other single-cell technologies have shown promise, but this approach focuses on rare cells lacking surface markers, making it novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Vivid Bioinnovations, Pbc
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Prince, Robin — Vivid Bioinnovations, Pbc
- Study coordinator: Prince, Robin
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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.