Improving treatment for spina bifida in unborn babies
Official title: Engineering the fetal environment for in utero treatment of spina bifida bone defect
Funded at University of California at Davis · NIH-11029300 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to help babies with spina bifida by using special cells from the placenta during surgery before they are born, with the goal of repairing their spinal cord and helping their bones grow stronger for better movement later on.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project start | March 24, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $600,475 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AR085141-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11029300 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are unborn babies diagnosed with myelomeningocele, the most severe form of spina bifida.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have already been born with spina bifida or those with other unrelated congenital conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the treatment of spina bifida, a serious birth defect, by using placental stem cells during in utero surgery. The approach aims to not only repair the spinal cord but also regenerate the surrounding bone structure to support long-term motor function. By utilizing the natural regenerative capabilities of the fetal environment, the study seeks to improve outcomes for children affected by this condition. The research will involve advanced bioengineering techniques to create a supportive environment for tissue regeneration.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve mobility and quality of life for children born with spina bifida.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using stem cells for in utero treatments, but this specific approach to bone regeneration in spina bifida is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California at Davis
Davis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hao, Dake — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Hao, Dake
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Improving care and outcomes for people living with spina bifida in Wisconsin
A patient-friendly project aims to improve everyday care and health outcomes for people with spina bifida in Wisconsin.
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The National Spina Bifida Patient Registry at University of Pittsburgh
A national registry project at the University of Pittsburgh aims to collect and organize information about people with spina bifida to improve care.
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Improving Care and Outcomes for People Living with Spina Bifida
A patient-friendly project aims to improve how people with spina bifida are cared for and how well they do over time.
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Scoliosis and neurosurgical factors in myelomeningocele: a clinic registry study
This project uses registry data from Penn State’s Spina Bifida Clinic to understand how brain and spine-related issues influence when and why scoliosis surgery is needed in people with myelomeningocele.
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UMPIRE: Better Urologic Care for Babies with Spina Bifida
This grant tests how to best protect kidney function in newborns with spina bifida by comparing and refining urologic care practices across multiple hospitals.
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Spina Bifida Collaborative Care Network to Improve Outcomes
A national program is expanding coordinated care networks and a patient registry to help people with Spina Bifida get better, more consistent care.
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.