Mapping Brain Connections at the Cell Level
BRAIN CONNECTS: Scalable Approaches for Bidirectional Brain-wide Trans-Neuronal Connectivity Mapping of Defined Cell Types
This project aims to create advanced tools to understand how different types of cells connect and communicate throughout the entire brain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11164560 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We are developing new technologies to create detailed maps of brain circuits, showing how individual brain cells are wired together. This involves combining methods that identify specific cell types with techniques that trace their connections across the brain. Our goal is to build a comprehensive picture of brain wiring, which is essential for understanding how the brain works. These new tools will help us link the unique characteristics of brain cells to their roles in brain communication.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients but aims to benefit future patients with neurological and psychiatric conditions by advancing our understanding of the brain.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct participation in a clinical trial will not find direct benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could provide a fundamental understanding of brain organization, paving the way for new insights into brain diseases and potential treatments.
How similar studies have performed: While individual components exist, this project is developing novel, scalable, and high-throughput methods to address a key technological gap in mapping brain connectivity at this level of detail.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Duan, Xin — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Duan, Xin
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.