Mapping how human pain-sensing nerves and spinal cord work at the cellular level
Official title: Mapping the human DRG and spinal cord functional genome at cellular and spatial resolution
Funded at University of Texas Dallas · NIH-11399403 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how human pain-sensing nerves (DRG) and the spinal cord differ from animals, aiming to map cell types and gene activity in adults with and without chronic pain to inform future therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Dallas NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richardson, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $544,329 |
| NIH project number | 5U19NS130608-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11399403 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with chronic pain or organ-donor adults providing DRG/spinal cord tissue.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without access to participating organ/tissue donation or without chronic pain may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will compare dorsal root ganglion tissues from organ donors and chronic pain patients across ages and sexes, using spatial sequencing and SPLiT-seq to map cell types and gene activity. They will also profile the spinal cord to understand how DRG neurons connect and how pain-related changes may occur. The project builds on prior demonstrations of these technologies, now applying them to human tissues to identify regulatory elements and cell-type maps related to pain. Findings could reveal human-specific targets for safer, more effective pain treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of human pain pathways could guide development of targeted therapies with fewer side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data show clear species differences and viable techniques; this project extends that work to human tissues.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Dallas
Richardson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Price, Theodore J — University of Texas Dallas
- Study coordinator: Price, Theodore J
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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.