Investigating how astrocytes develop in the human brain
Official title: Understanding glial fate restriction in humans
Funded at Harvard University · NIH-11132906 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special type of brain cell called astrocytes is formed during human brain development, which could help us understand brain function better and improve our knowledge of diseases related to these cells.
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 start | July 5, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $641,423 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH134993-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11132906 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research include adults with neurological disorders or conditions that affect astrocyte function.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to astrocyte function or those outside the adult age range may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the mechanisms that lead to the formation of astrocytes, a crucial type of brain cell, during human brain development. By examining the spatio-temporal patterns of astrocyte production, the study aims to uncover how these cells are generated from progenitor cells in the cortex. The research will utilize advanced methodologies to analyze human brain tissue, addressing the challenges posed by ethical considerations and differences between human and animal models. Insights gained from this research could enhance our understanding of brain function and the development of astrocyte-related diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatment strategies for diseases related to astrocytes, improving outcomes for patients with neurological conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding astrocyte development in animal models, but this approach is novel in the context of human brain development.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard University
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ramanathan, Sharad — Harvard University
- Study coordinator: Ramanathan, Sharad
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Using biomaterials to boost T cell immunity against cancer
This study is exploring new ways to boost the immune system's T cells, which help fight cancer, by using special materials to create artificial cells that can better activate them, with the hope of developing improved treatments for cancer patients.
-
Understanding how venom glands develop to reveal new medicines
A Corsortium at Harvard studies how venom glands form and work in different animals to uncover new ways to create and use powerful medicines for human health.
-
Muscle Mass: a Key Missing Piece in How We Model Movement
This project studies how adding muscle mass to computer models changes predictions of movement, aiming to improve mobility for people of all ages.
-
Synthetic circuit tools to precisely control human immune cells
Aims to design safe, programmable gene circuits that can steer human immune cells for better therapies.
-
HPF-X: A fast, buffer-exchanging high-pressure freezing tool for capturing rapid cellular events
A new tool called HPF-X will let scientists freeze cells at precise moments after stimulation, so we can see rapid molecular changes in neuroscience and related fields.
-
Pathways and factors to prevent early-onset colorectal tumors
This NIH grant would explore why colorectal cancer is rising in people under 50 and identify clues we can use to prevent it.
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.