New immune-deficient pig models to improve stem cell and regenerative treatments
Official title: Developing second generation SCID pig models: filling the gaps to improve translation of therapeutics in regenerative medicine
Funded at Iowa State University · NIH-11198217 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project builds better immune-deficient pigs that let human cells grow so researchers can develop safer, more effective stem cell and tissue-repair treatments for people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Iowa State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ames, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2020 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $763,121 |
| NIH project number | 2R24OD028748-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11198217 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with conditions that might one day be treated by stem cell or regenerative therapies—such as those needing tissue repair or organ replacement—are the eventual patient groups most likely to benefit from this work.
✕Less likely to help
Patients seeking immediate treatment are unlikely to benefit now because this grant develops animal models rather than offering clinical care or trials.
What this research studies
From a patient viewpoint, researchers are creating pigs with weakened immune systems so human stem cells, tissues, and cancer cells can be tested in a body more like ours than a mouse. They raise these pigs in specialized biocontainment facilities and use genetic methods (cloning and zygote editing) to make second-generation SCID models. Investigators implant human induced pluripotent stem cells, skin, and other human-derived cells to watch how well the cells survive, function, and stay safe. The goal is to make preclinical testing more predictive before therapies move into human trials.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these pig models could make preclinical testing of stem cell and regenerative therapies more predictive and safer for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Immune-deficient mouse models have long supported human cell grafts, and early SCID pig work has shown human cell engraftment, but more advanced "humanized" pig models are still an emerging and developing approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Iowa State University
Ames, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tuggle, Christopher — Iowa State University
- Study coordinator: Tuggle, Christopher
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.