How early human stem cells pick their future tissue type
Genomic control of gene regulatory networks governing early human lineage decisions
This project looks at how human embryonic stem cells change into the three main tissue types and how genetic differences affect those choices.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11098586 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From your perspective, researchers grow human embryonic stem cells in the lab to watch how they exit a flexible, pluripotent state and become endoderm, mesoderm, or neuroectoderm. They use genome-scale CRISPR screens to find genes that influence those switches and sequencing assays (like ATAC-seq and 4C) to map how DNA and regulatory elements are organized. Machine learning models are used to link individual genetic variants and combinations of variants to changes in gene regulatory networks that control cell fate. The goal is to create a detailed picture of the controls that guide early human cell decisions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This is laboratory research using human embryonic stem cell lines and does not enroll patients or require clinical participation.
Not a fit: People looking for immediate medical treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could clarify causes of some developmental or congenital problems and inform future regenerative or cell-based therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Previous CRISPR and sequencing studies have identified regulators for specific lineage transitions, but integrating genome-wide screens, 3D chromatin assays, and machine learning across all three early lineages is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huangfu, Danwei — Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
- Study coordinator: Huangfu, Danwei
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.