Lab-grown human cortical tissue with blood vessel and immune cells
Human PSC-based cortical organoid and assembloid systems integrating pericyte and microglial lineages and signals
Researchers are growing 3D human brain tissue that includes blood-vessel supporting cells and immune cells to better model cortical conditions such as Bourneville disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11237984 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project builds 3D cortical organoids and multi-region assembloids from human pluripotent stem cells and adds vascular-support (pericyte) and immune (microglial) lineages to better reproduce brain cell diversity. The team uses guided patterning and factors like leukemia inhibitory factor to increase key cortical progenitors and interneuron types that are underrepresented in standard organoids. These enhanced organoids aim to capture cellular interactions relevant to Bourneville disease (tuberous sclerosis) and other cortical disorders. The models can be used to study disease mechanisms in the lab and to test therapeutic approaches in a human-cell context.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Bourneville disease (tuberous sclerosis complex) who are interested in research donation or in future clinical studies related to organoid-based findings would be the most directly relevant group.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical treatment or acute care are unlikely to benefit directly from this lab-focused project in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce more realistic human brain models that improve understanding of Bourneville disease and speed preclinical testing of new treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Previous human brain organoid work has reproduced some developmental and disease features, but integrating vascular and microglial lineages at this level of cortical maturity is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Studer, Lorenz P. — Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
- Study coordinator: Studer, Lorenz P.
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.