Where different types of medulloblastoma begin in the developing cerebellum
Official title: Mapping the Cerebellar Origins of Medulloblastoma Subgroups
Funded at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · NIH-11252813 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are tracing how Group 3 and Group 4 medulloblastoma start in the developing cerebellum to help children with these aggressive brain tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | February 16, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $686,021 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA270785-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11252813 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children diagnosed with medulloblastoma—especially those with Group 3 or Group 4 tumors—or families willing to donate tumor tissue or clinical data would be most relevant.
✕Less likely to help
People without medulloblastoma or those with tumor subtypes outside Group 3/4 may not receive direct benefits from this research in the near term.
What this research studies
This project will map cells in the developing cerebellum and compare them to tumor cells from children with Group 3 and Group 4 medulloblastoma. Scientists will use single-cell genomic profiling, CRISPR tools, and mouse lineage models to identify which cerebellar cell types can give rise to these tumors. They will build more accurate laboratory models that reflect specific tumor subgroups. The goal is to reveal the developmental steps that lead to these aggressive childhood cancers so targeted treatments can be developed in the future.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to the exact cell origins and molecular targets needed to develop better, more precise treatments for children with Group 3 and Group 4 medulloblastoma.
How similar studies have gone: Previous single-cell and mouse-model studies successfully identified origins for WNT and SHH subgroups, but the cellular origins of Group 3 and Group 4 remain less well defined, making this work more novel.
Where this research is happening
-
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Northcott, Paul — St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
- Study coordinator: Northcott, Paul
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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.