Visualizing how morphogens shape fetal development in human cells
Official title: Visualization of extracellular morphogens to understand self-organized patterning
Funded at Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · NIH-11526910 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how key signaling proteins guide early human development using labeled Nodal in stem cells to visualize patterns as cells organize themselves.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | August 22, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $348,300 |
| NIH project number | 7R01HD112488-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11526910 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals whose conditions relate to early developmental signaling pathways or birth defects, or healthy volunteers donating samples for iPSC work; patients would not be directly recruited through this grant but may benefit from future translational advances.
✕Less likely to help
This grant is focused on basic science in cell models and does not involve direct patient treatment or immediate clinical care for participants.
What this research studies
This project uses human pluripotent stem cells with CRISPR-tagged Nodal to watch how morphogens move and interact during early development. By combining live imaging and genetic tools, the team aims to see how Nodal and its inhibitors create spatial patterns that influence cell fate. The work connects basic biology to how left-right axes and germ layers form, potentially informing birth defect understanding. Insights could pave the way for better models of human development and disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A clearer picture of how early developmental signals pattern tissues could improve our understanding of birth defects and inform future therapies or preventive strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work using CRISPR-edited stem cells and live imaging has revealed dynamic morphogen signaling, suggesting this approach can yield meaningful insights in human developmental biology.
Where this research is happening
-
Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Warmflash, Aryeh — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Warmflash, Aryeh
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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.