Understanding how the environment affects human sperm stem cells
Official title: Spatially Resolved, Functional Dissection of the Human Spermatogonial Stem Cell Niche
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11066463 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the environment around sperm-producing cells in the testis affects their ability to function, which could help us understand more about male infertility and certain cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | April 4, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $335,783 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD114698-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11066463 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are men experiencing infertility or those at risk for germ cell-derived cancers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not male or those without issues related to fertility or germ cell cancers may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of the microenvironment, known as the niche, in regulating human spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), which are essential for producing sperm. By utilizing advanced techniques like spatial transcriptomics, the study aims to explore how SSCs interact with their surrounding cells and signals within the testis. This could provide insights into the causes of male infertility and germ cell cancers, which are significant health concerns. The research seeks to fill existing knowledge gaps regarding the cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern SSC function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for treating male infertility and understanding germ cell cancers.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been significant research on spermatogonial stem cells in animal models, this approach using spatial transcriptomics in humans is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Haiqi — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Chen, Haiqi
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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.