Profiling tRNA Diversity One Cell at a Time
Official title: Developing Single Nuclei tRNA-seq to Profile tRNA Diversity at the Single Cell Level
Funded at Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-11535033 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new method will map how tRNA shapes differ from cell to cell in brain-like cells and organoids, aiming to shed light on neurodevelopment and neurodegenerative diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | May 2, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $161,739 |
| NIH project number | 7R21NS139431-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11535033 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with neurodevelopmental or neurodegenerative conditions or their biological samples who could contribute to organoid-based studies or future trials.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals or samples not linked to nervous system diseases may have limited direct benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project will develop a single-cell tRNA sequencing method and apply it to stem cell–derived neurons and cerebral organoids to observe tRNA processing and modification patterns at the individual cell level. Researchers will first optimize the technique using existing lab models, then profile organoids with disease-related genetic variants alongside matched controls. The goal is to reveal how tRNA biology varies across cells and how these patterns relate to brain development and degeneration, with potential wider applications to other tissues and diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could enable more precise understanding of how tRNA biology contributes to neurodegenerative diseases and other conditions, potentially guiding future therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous bulk tRNA studies show tissue- and disease-specific patterns, but single-cell approaches are novel and could provide deeper insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schaffer, Ashleigh E — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Schaffer, Ashleigh E
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how a protein affects nerve cell movement in Alzheimer's disease
This study is looking at how a protein called APP affects the growth and movement of nerve cells, which is important for understanding Alzheimer's disease, and it aims to find out how problems with this protein might lead to nerve cell damage.
-
Understanding how the bone marrow environment drives AML resistance
A large NIH-funded project at Oregon Health & Science University is studying how the body’s own cell surroundings help acute myeloid leukemia become resistant to treatment, with potential paths to better therapies for patients.
-
Improving Safety at Work with a Low-Resource mHealth Program in Malaysia (and beyond)
A low-cost mobile health program to improve safety culture in Malaysian workplaces, with plans to adapt the approach for U.S. workers in high-risk industries.
-
Oregon Healthy Workplace Initiative for Better Health
A multi-site effort aims to improve the health and safety of workers by coordinating research, tools, and interventions across workplaces.
-
Understanding how AML cells become resistant to therapy over time
This project looks at why acute myeloid leukemia stops responding to treatment and how to design better drug combinations to prevent relapse.
-
Mechanisms and Countermeasures for Ultra-Potent Synthetic Opioid Overdose
A small, focused NIH grant aims to understand why ultra-potent synthetic opioids cause severe overdose and to explore potential countermeasures to keep people safe.
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.