Multiplexed map of brain microcircuits across regions
Official title: Multiplexed Connectomic Mapping of Brain Microcircuits
Funded at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · NIH-11396901 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to create a new way to map tiny brain circuits with nanometer detail so we can better understand how they relate to brain diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Champaign, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $757,625 |
| NIH project number | 1DP2DA068576-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11396901 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not a patient-facing study; however, advances could benefit people with brain diseases by improving understanding of disease mechanisms.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient participation is not involved in this grant as described.
What this research studies
This project will develop a set of new methods to map local brain microcircuits with high precision, combining engineered markers, EM-compatible imaging, and cross-scale connectivity data. The approach integrates design of small, specific binders to identify cell types, multiplexed fluorescence to link molecular profiles with anatomy, and visualization of input connections to microcircuits. The goal is to build an integrated platform that reveals how local circuitry contributes to health and disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the methods could enable researchers to precisely map brain circuits involved in neurological disorders, potentially guiding future therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows promise in local circuit mapping, but this project aims to create an integrated nanoscale platform.
Where this research is happening
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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lu, Xiaotang — University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Study coordinator: Lu, Xiaotang
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.