Mapping nerve cells in the spinal cord and sensory ganglia
Functional and genetic characterization of human DRG and spinal cord at single cell resolution
This project creates a detailed map of the nerve cells in the human spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia to help people living with chronic pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11193872 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project will examine nerve cells from human spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia donated by people with and without chronic pain. Researchers will use single-cell genetic methods and lab tests that measure how these cells behave to catalog cell types and their molecular signatures. Samples will be compared across donors and pain conditions to find patterns linked to pain signaling. The team will also optimize lab methods so future research and drug testing can more reliably use human tissue.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with chronic pain who can donate surgical tissue or provide samples/data, as well as organ or tissue donors whose DRG or spinal tissue can be studied.
Not a fit: Patients should not expect immediate clinical benefit because this is foundational research that may lead to future treatments rather than direct therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to specific human nerve-cell targets for new, non-addictive pain treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Single-cell and functional mapping approaches have produced important findings in animal models and some human tissues, but comprehensive human DRG and spinal cord maps are still limited and this work is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gereau, Robert W — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Gereau, Robert W
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.