Spatial mapping core for detailed tissue imaging
Spatial Core (Moffit)
This project creates a shared lab service that maps where thousands of genes are active inside tissues, with a focus on tissues related to human pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11163280 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective as a patient, this effort will build a specialized lab core that uses MERFISH, a powerful imaging method, to see many different RNA molecules in single cells while keeping their exact location in tissue. The team will create high-resolution maps of cell types and their gene activity across large pieces of tissue, aiming especially at samples tied to pain. Those maps can help scientists understand which cells and molecular signals are involved in painful conditions. The core will also help other researchers by providing expertise, standardized methods, and access to the MERFISH technology.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with chronic pain conditions or individuals able to donate relevant tissue samples could be candidates to contribute samples or take part in related studies.
Not a fit: Patients who do not provide tissue samples or who need immediate treatment changes are unlikely to see direct clinical benefit from this core in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new cell types and molecular patterns in painful tissues that guide development of better diagnostics and targeted treatments for pain.
How similar studies have performed: MERFISH and other spatial transcriptomics methods have successfully mapped tissues and discovered new cell populations, but broad application to human pain tissues is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moffitt, Jeffrey — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Moffitt, Jeffrey
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 below.