Making large batches of patient-derived cells to build lab-grown organs
Trillion cell culture to fuel organ biofabrication
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · NIH-11062833
This project creates ways to grow huge amounts of patient stem cells and heart organoids to help make personalized lab-grown organs for people with organ failure.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | STANFORD UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (STANFORD, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11062833 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers are working to cut the cost and massively scale up production of patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells by programming them to grow without expensive external growth factors and then removing those changes before forming tissues. They plan to run cells in much larger bioreactors and streamline methods to produce many multicellular cardiac organoids faster and more reliably for 3D bioprinting. The approach combines genetic engineering, large-scale cell culture, automated bioreactors, and organoid production to create the material needed for printing tissues and blood vessels. This is lab-based engineering work focused on manufacturing and biological methods rather than on treating patients directly.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with organ failure who might one day receive lab-grown organs, or individuals willing to donate cells for stem cell lines, are most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: Patients needing an immediate transplant or urgent treatment are unlikely to receive direct short-term benefit from this lab-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make personalized lab-grown organs and replacement heart tissue more affordable and realistic for people with organ failure.
How similar studies have performed: Other groups have produced small lab-grown tissues and organoids, but scaling to trillion-cell cultures and using growth factor-free engineered stem cells is largely novel and unproven.
Where this research is happening
STANFORD, UNITED STATES
- STANFORD UNIVERSITY — STANFORD, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SKYLAR-SCOTT, MARK A. — STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: SKYLAR-SCOTT, MARK A.
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.