Next-generation brain spatial genomics tools
Official title: Next generation spatial genomics tools for the human brain
Funded at Spatial Genomics, INC. · NIH-11337546 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new NIH-supported project aims to improve brain tissue mapping by making spatial gene expression assays more powerful and reliable in human brain samples.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Spatial Genomics, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pasadena, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,244,076 |
| NIH project number | 5R44MH140731-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11337546 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with neurological conditions where brain tissue analysis could inform understanding and treatment, often via donated samples or clinical collaborations.
✕Less likely to help
People without access to brain tissue samples or those not involved in brain research would not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project builds on the GenePS platform to make spatial genomics in brain tissue more multiplexed and robust, addressing issues like autofluorescence and RNA quality. Researchers will create and test new reagents and assays that work directly on human brain tissue to visualize thousands of genes at once. The work will advance sequencing-based imaging techniques to better understand cell interactions in neurological disorders. The effort is led by Spatial Genomics, Inc. and is funded to run from 2025 through 2027 in Pasadena, CA.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from more detailed brain maps that inform diagnostics and targeted therapies for neurological diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous seqFISH-based approaches have demonstrated high multiplexity, and this work aims to scale further with next-generation reagents.
Where this research is happening
-
Spatial Genomics, INC.
Pasadena, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Frieda, Kirsten — Spatial Genomics, INC.
- Study coordinator: Frieda, Kirsten
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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New tools to visualize gene activity in the human brain
This study is working on improving a special technology that helps scientists see how genes are expressed in brain tissues, which is important for understanding brain disorders, and it's designed for researchers who want to learn more about these conditions.
-
Analyzing gene expression in the brains of Alzheimer's patients
This study is looking at the brains of people with Alzheimer's to better understand how their cells work and interact, using special technology to see thousands of genes at once, which could help us find new ways to understand and treat the disease.
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This study is looking at how different cells in breast cancer tumors work together and where they are located, using special imaging tools to help improve how we diagnose and treat the disease.
-
Exploring gene activity in human and mouse brains using advanced imaging techniques
This study is exploring new ways to see and understand how genes are arranged in the brains of humans and mice, which could help us learn more about how brain cells work together and communicate, ultimately helping us uncover the mysteries of brain function.
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.