Mapping age-related changes in blood stem cells in the bone marrow
Using spatial, single-cell genomic recording to investigate age-associated clonal hematopoiesis
Researchers will use a new cellular 'memory' imaging and single-cell genetic method to trace how aging bone marrow changes blood stem cells that can lead to clonal hematopoiesis in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11251586 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses an advanced technique called MEMOIR that records the history and interactions of individual blood stem and progenitor cells inside bone marrow tissue and then reads those records with imaging and single-cell genomics. The team will map which cells expand into dominant clones with age and how neighboring cells and signaling networks in the marrow change. By comparing younger and aged marrow environments, they aim to identify signals that drive clonal dominance linked to blood disorders. The work is laboratory-based on bone marrow tissue and cells and is focused on understanding mechanisms rather than testing a therapy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People most connected to this work would be older adults with age-related clonal hematopoiesis or those willing to donate blood or bone marrow samples for research.
Not a fit: Patients seeking an immediate treatment or those without blood or marrow conditions are unlikely to gain direct clinical benefit from this laboratory-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal bone marrow signals that trigger harmful blood-cell clones, pointing to new ways to detect or prevent blood cancers linked to aging.
How similar studies have performed: Related single-cell and lineage-tracing studies have improved understanding of blood stem cells, but applying MEMOIR to aging bone marrow and clonal hematopoiesis is a novel approach with limited prior clinical results.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lu, Rong — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Lu, Rong
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.