Stem-cell brain organoids exploring early brain overgrowth in autism
IBIS-iPSC: Organoid modeling of cortical surface area hyperexpansion in autism spectrum disorder
Researchers will grow mini-brains from blood cells of infants at higher familial risk for autism to link lab findings with each child's early brain growth and behavior.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11263705 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you or your child join through the IBIS infant cohort, researchers will convert a small blood sample into stem cells and grow them into 3D brain organoids that mimic the developing cortex. They will compare organoids made from infants who later developed autism with those who did not and relate cellular features to each child's infant brain scans and behavioral data. The team will look for specific cell types and molecular signals that could cause cortical surface area overexpansion seen in some infants with autism. Findings will be validated to see how well the lab-grown organoids reflect the real-life brain growth of the child who provided the sample.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are infants enrolled in the IBIS cohort—particularly those with an older sibling with ASD—who can provide blood samples and have existing infant brain imaging and behavioral data.
Not a fit: Adults without relevant IBIS data, people without a family history of autism, or anyone seeking immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this lab-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could explain why some children with autism have early brain overgrowth and point to biomarkers or targets for future treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Other teams have used iPSC-derived organoids to model neurodevelopmental processes and some autism-related molecular changes, but directly linking organoids to an individual's early brain growth is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stein, Jason Louis — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Stein, Jason Louis
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.