High-resolution 3D map of the small intestine and colon
Organ Specific Project
We are building a detailed, three-dimensional map of bowel cells from diverse people to learn how the intestine works in health and disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11160534 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project collects small-bowel and colon tissue from donated surgical or biopsy samples and preserves them for high-quality molecular mapping. Researchers will use single-nucleus RNA and ATAC sequencing to read which genes are active and how those genes are regulated in individual cells. They will combine multiplex protein imaging (CODEX) and spatial RNA mapping (Molecular Cartography) on serial tissue sections to place those cells in precise 3D locations. The team aims for full coverage at six bowel sites from eight diverse individuals and lighter coverage of two sites in 20 additional people to expand the map.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people able to donate bowel tissue during clinically indicated procedures (for example surgery or biopsy/colonoscopy) and who represent diverse ages and backgrounds.
Not a fit: People who cannot or do not want to provide tissue samples, or who need immediate treatment rather than tissue donation, are unlikely to directly benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the maps could reveal how specific cell types and neighborhoods change in bowel diseases and point to new diagnostic markers or therapeutic targets.
How similar studies have performed: Related single-cell and spatial atlases for other organs have produced valuable biological maps, and this project applies those proven methods to create a more detailed 3D bowel map.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Snyder, Michael P. — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Snyder, Michael P.
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 below.