Improving brain health understanding using marmoset models
Official title: Advancing brain health research through male germline editing in marmosets
Funded at University of Texas San Antonio · NIH-11092158 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work aims to create better animal models, specifically marmosets, to help us understand and develop new treatments for brain-related conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas San Antonio NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2021 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $2,245,765 |
| NIH project number | 5U01DA054170-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11092158 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational work does not involve direct patient participation, but future patients with neuropsychiatric disorders could benefit from the improved understanding and treatments it enables.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not affected by neuropsychiatric disorders would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Neuropsychiatric disorders affect many people, but finding effective treatments is challenging because current animal models, like rodents, don't always accurately reflect human brain conditions. This project focuses on using common marmosets, which are small nonhuman primates with brain structures similar to humans, to bridge this gap. Researchers are developing new genetic tools to modify marmoset genes, making these animals even more useful for studying complex brain health issues. This innovative approach will help scientists create more precise models of human brain disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more effective new medicines and therapies for neuropsychiatric disorders by providing better models for testing.
How similar studies have gone: The utility of marmoset models for complex brain health studies is still developing, making this approach to genetic modification novel and crucial for future success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas San Antonio
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hermann, Brian Peter — University of Texas San Antonio
- Study coordinator: Hermann, Brian Peter
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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.