How alcohol affects human brain cells and genes
Cellular and genomic mechanisms of the impact of ethanol on human neural model
['FUNDING_R01'] · RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES · NIH-11325330
This project looks at how alcohol changes lab-grown human brain cells and their genes to learn more about alcohol use disorder.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11325330 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers grow human neurons and glial cells from patient-derived stem cells and assemble them into 3D cultures that include microglia. They expose these lab-grown neural tissues to ethanol and use genomic tools like ATAC-seq and gene expression assays to see how alcohol alters chromatin structure and gene activity. The team compares cells with different genetic variants linked to addiction to identify differences in sensitivity to alcohol. The work focuses on how alcohol drives neuroinflammation, affects neurogenesis, and alters neuron–glia interactions at a cellular and genomic level.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal contributors would be adults with a history of heavy alcohol use or people carrying addiction-linked genetic variants who are willing to donate blood or skin samples for making stem cells.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate new medications or direct clinical care are unlikely to benefit because this is lab-based, preclinical research focused on basic mechanisms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to biological pathways and molecular targets that lead to better treatments or prevention strategies for people with alcohol use disorder.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier lab studies using human iPSC-derived neurons and 3D cultures have shown alcohol-related changes in gene expression and immune signaling, but translating these findings into therapies remains early.
Where this research is happening
Newark, UNITED STATES
- RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES — Newark, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: PANG, ZHIPING P. — RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES
- Study coordinator: PANG, ZHIPING 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.