How human stem cells form head-to-tail body patterns
Measuring and modeling the dynamics ofpatterning in human stem cells
Using lab-grown human stem cell tissues to learn how early human embryos build their head-to-tail body patterns.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11135393 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You can think of this work as growing tiny, lab-made human tissues that elongate like the back end of an early embryo so researchers can watch patterning happen. The team uses precise gene-control tools (like CRISPRi) and chemicals to turn signals on or off and sees how cells change over time. They take repeated images and measurements and build computer models to explain the dynamic behaviors that produce organized tissues. The aim is to reduce variability in lab models so findings about human development are reliable and relevant to developmental disorders.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project does not enroll patients; it works with lab-grown human stem cells and donor-derived samples rather than recruiting people for clinical participation.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate medical treatment or an experimental therapy for a current condition are unlikely to benefit directly since this is laboratory-based basic research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could improve understanding of how congenital spinal and other early developmental disorders arise and help guide future diagnostics or treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Recent organoid approaches have begun to model parts of early human development successfully, and the investigators' preliminary work produced a reproducible elongating organoid system.
Where this research is happening
Cambridge, United States
- Harvard University — Cambridge, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ramanathan, Sharad — Harvard University
- Study coordinator: Ramanathan, Sharad
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.