Understanding how blood cell formation niches are created
Official title: Imaging the formation of an hematopoietic niche
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-10808347 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain areas in the body help control blood stem cells, using fruit flies to see how these areas are built and how they work, which could lead to better treatments for blood disorders and stem cell therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $162,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R03HD111973-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10808347 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals with blood disorders or those interested in stem cell therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to blood cell formation or stem cell function may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the formation of specialized niches that control the function of stem cells responsible for blood cell formation. Using advanced live-imaging techniques in fruit flies, the study aims to uncover the dynamic processes involved in assembling these niches and how their architecture affects stem cell regulation. By understanding these mechanisms, researchers hope to gain insights into tissue maintenance and the role of stem cells in health and disease. The findings could have implications for improving treatments related to blood disorders and stem cell therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for treating blood disorders and enhancing stem cell therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding stem cell niches, but this specific approach using live imaging in Drosophila is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dinardo, Stephen Francis — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Dinardo, Stephen Francis
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Comparing universal and guideline-directed genetic testing for young adults with cancer
This study is looking at whether a broader genetic test can help young adults with cancer find inherited risks that regular tests might miss, so they can get better treatment and care tailored just for them.
-
Better, searchable data for human pain biology
A data integration center will standardize, combine, and share molecular and cellular data from human pain research to help scientists understand how pain works and to accelerate discoveries.
-
Understanding how sweat glands form and work to help burn and skin injury patients
A study at the University of Pennsylvania looks at how sweat glands develop and function, with the goal of informing treatments for people who suffer traumatic skin injuries.
-
Cardiovascular risk planning and reduction for men with prostate cancer
A program to better predict and reduce heart disease risk in men treated for prostate cancer, especially older patients.
-
Understanding how a special airway cell helps protect and repair breathing passages
A researcher is studying a newly found airway cell called the hillock to see how it protects the airways and helps repair them after injury, with the aim of helping people with asthma, COPD, or bronchiectasis.
-
Defining TMJ cartilage progenitors and their regulatory niche for TMJ regeneration
Researchers are studying the cells that could help repair the jaw’s cartilage in TMJ osteoarthritis to lay the groundwork for regenerative therapies.
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.