Tracking human stem-cell derived brain cells after transplantation into mouse brains
Studying stem cell-based therapies by applying advanced in vivo physiological and imaging methods to transplanted human neural populations in mice
Researchers will use high-resolution imaging and recordings in mice to watch how human stem-cell derived brain cells grow, move, and connect, with the goal of learning how this could help people with Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11111460 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project transplants human neural precursor cells grown from patient-derived stem cells into the adult mouse cortex and follows them over time. The team will use advanced in vivo imaging (including 2-photon microscopy) and neurophysiology to observe cell survival, migration, and how transplanted cells connect with host brain circuits. By tracking structural and functional changes across the animals' lifetimes, they aim to learn which transplant behaviors support meaningful integration. Those methods are intended to reveal barriers and opportunities for future cell-replacement therapies for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Alzheimer's disease or other neurodegenerative disorders that involve loss of brain neurons could be the eventual candidates for therapies informed by this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose problems are not caused by neuron loss or who have medical conditions that prevent transplant therapies may not benefit from these approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help design safer, more effective stem-cell therapies that replace lost neurons and restore brain function in Alzheimer's and related conditions.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal work has shown transplanted human neural precursors can survive and sometimes integrate, but long-term functional integration and high-resolution in vivo tracking in adult cortex remain relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- University of Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Padmanabhan, Krishnan — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Padmanabhan, Krishnan
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.