Understanding how specific nerve cells develop in the lower gastrointestinal tract
Official title: Contribution of the sacral neural crest to the peripheral nervous system of the post-umbilical gastrointestinal tract
Funded at California Institute of Technology · NIH-11085277 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain cells in your body help control gut function, especially in the lower part of your digestive system, to better understand conditions like aganglionic megacolon that can affect bowel health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | California Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pasadena, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $556,439 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK133480-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11085277 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions affecting the enteric nervous system, such as aganglionic megacolon.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with gastrointestinal disorders unrelated to nerve development may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the development of the enteric nervous system, which controls gut function, focusing on the sacral neural crest cells that contribute to this system. By examining how these cells migrate and differentiate into various types of neurons in the hindgut, the study aims to fill a significant knowledge gap regarding their role compared to vagal neural crest cells. The researchers will use advanced techniques, including a novel retrovirus labeling method, to track these cells over time and analyze their function. This work could provide insights into conditions like aganglionic megacolon, which affects bowel function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for gastrointestinal disorders related to nerve development.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific focus on sacral neural crest cells is less explored, similar studies on vagal neural crest cells have shown promising results in understanding enteric nervous system development.
Where this research is happening
-
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bronner, Marianne — California Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Bronner, Marianne
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Genetic and Neural Drivers of Sleep in Zebrafish
Researchers are studying how genes and brain signals control sleep using zebrafish to understand why sleep disorders happen and how to treat them.
-
Wireless, skin-friendly neck wearable to support voice/airway care
A neck-worn, wireless sensor system combines two measurements to help people with voice and airway problems manage symptoms and stay adherent to treatment.
-
Bacterial gene activity in human tissues to link microbes and host health
A research project to map which genes are active in both human tissues and their resident bacteria to better understand conditions like Crohn’s disease.
-
In Situ Amplification for Biological Imaging using Hybridization Chain Reaction
A research grant supporting a new imaging approach that helps scientists visualize where RNA and proteins are located inside tissues and embryos.
-
WormBase: a life science data hub for C. elegans and other nematodes
Aimed at continuously improving WormBase, a key online data resource used by researchers studying C. elegans and related nematodes, to help scientists access genome and gene information more efficiently.
-
Alliance Central: A platform to build smarter genome knowledge bases
A NIH-funded project to create a next-generation software platform and data framework that helps scientists integrate and harmonize genome and model-organism data to better understand human health and disease.
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.