Investigating how blood stem cells function in the liver
Official title: Understanding the Nature and Regulation of Extramedullary Hematopoiesis in the Liver
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11054840 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how special blood-making cells from the bone marrow can move to the liver and help with blood cell production, especially during health issues, to find ways to improve treatments for immune-related diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $130,337 |
| NIH project number | 1K99HL173841-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11054840 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who may have conditions affecting their blood or immune system.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable blood conditions or those not experiencing any immune-related issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the role of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in the liver, particularly how they can leave the bone marrow and contribute to blood cell formation in response to various conditions. The study aims to identify the factors that regulate these stem cells and their interactions with the immune system, which could lead to better treatments for diseases related to immunity. By using advanced techniques like CRISPR/Cas9 for genetic analysis, the research seeks to fill critical knowledge gaps about how these cells operate in the liver during different health and disease states.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved therapies for diseases that affect the immune system and blood cell production.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding blood stem cell behavior, but this specific focus on liver HSCs is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gao, Longfei — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Gao, Longfei
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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.