Modeling ALS Pathology with Patient-Derived Neuromuscular Organoids
Official title: Modeling ALS Pathogenesis Using Human iPSC-Derived Neuromuscular Organoids
Funded at Louisiana State Univ Hsc Shreveport · NIH-11429409 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study using patient-derived stem cells to grow 3D neuromuscular organoids that mimic ALS-affected connections between nerves and muscles.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Louisiana State Univ Hsc Shreveport NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Shreveport, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $146,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R03NS151051-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11429409 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with juvenile or early-onset ALS and healthy donors whose iPSCs can be reprogrammed; organoids will be derived from these cells.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals without ALS may not directly benefit from the findings.
What this research studies
Researchers will create three-dimensional neuromuscular organoids from human iPSCs, including spinal motor neurons, muscle fibers, and glia, to model ALS in a dish. The project will compare organoids from individuals with juvenile/early-onset ALS to healthy controls and isogenic corrected lines to understand how ALS alters neuromuscular development and connectivity. They will test structural and functional features of the neuromuscular junctions and assess disease-related changes over time to identify potential mechanisms and targets. This work aims to establish a robust, physiologically relevant model that can be used to study disease progression and screen potential therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from a better understanding of ALS mechanisms and accelerated development of targeted treatments.
How similar studies have gone: 3D neuromuscular organoids have shown promise, but applying them to ALS pathology is an active, yet progressing area with emerging positive signals.
Where this research is happening
-
Louisiana State Univ Hsc Shreveport
Shreveport, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ding, Baojin — Louisiana State Univ Hsc Shreveport
- Study coordinator: Ding, Baojin
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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.