Improving lab-grown spinal cord tissue with developmentally timed support materials
Refining iPSC-Based Spinal Cord Model Systems by Fabricating Developmentally Programmed Extracellular Matrix Cues
This project builds more mature spinal cord tissue from patient stem cells by adding scaffold materials that mimic how the nervous system develops.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11176812 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you take part, researchers will use cells from people (induced pluripotent stem cells) to grow spinal cord–like tissue in the lab. They will design and place extracellular matrix materials — the natural support around brain and spinal cord cells — that change over time to match developmental stages. These materials will be used in 3D cultures and printed scaffolds to help neurons and supporting astrocytes mature and form more realistic connections. Scientists will compare the structure, electrical activity, and gene signatures of tissues made with and without these programmed cues.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults willing to donate biological samples (for example blood or skin) or adults with spinal cord or related neurological conditions whose cells could be used to make patient-specific models.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate clinical treatments, pediatric patients under 21, or individuals not willing to provide samples are unlikely to receive direct benefits from this lab-based project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce more realistic human spinal cord models that help speed up discovery and testing of treatments for spinal cord and other neurological conditions.
How similar studies have performed: Related approaches using extracellular matrix and 3D systems have shown promise in improving neuron maturation in lab models, but applying developmentally programmed ECM specifically to human spinal cord models is still emerging and partly novel.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kiskinis, Evangelos — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Kiskinis, Evangelos
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.