How signals shape early skin and nervous system development
Official title: Signaling dynamics in the control of ectoderm patterning and morphogenesis
Funded at Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · NIH-11492705 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Using human stem-cell models, this project looks at how cell signals guide the formation and folding of early nervous system and skin tissues to help people affected by neural tube and related birth defects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $405,000 |
| NIH project number | 7R35GM149328-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11492705 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be people or families affected by neural tube defects or other early ectodermal birth defects who can donate cells (for example, samples for patient-derived iPSC lines) or share clinical data to help build patient-relevant models.
✕Less likely to help
People with conditions unrelated to early ectoderm development or those seeking immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic laboratory research.
What this research studies
They grow human pluripotent stem cells into controlled two-dimensional patterns and three-dimensional mini-structures that mimic the early ectoderm and neural tube. The team uses live-cell reporters and time-lapse imaging to watch how cells respond to key signals (Wnt, BMP, FGF) as tissues form and bend. By changing signaling levels and geometry they observe conditions that produce correct patterning or errors resembling congenital anomalies. This work aims to link specific signaling failures to birth defects so researchers can work toward better screening or prevention strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could clarify causes of neural tube and other ectodermal birth defects and point toward ways to prevent, detect, or eventually treat them.
How similar studies have gone: Related 2D patterning and organoid approaches using human stem cells have produced useful developmental insights, but reproducible 3D neural tube-like morphogenesis is a newer approach that is still being refined.
Where this research is happening
-
Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Warmflash, Aryeh — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Warmflash, Aryeh
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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.