Robust Control of the Stem Cell Niche

NIH RePORTER · NIH · R35 · $107,810 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

Abstract 3D organoids are emerging as a powerful tool for stem cell biology and tissue modeling, but their broader adoption for screening applications has been hindered by their slow expansion and heterogeneity. To overcome these two limitations, we request the Dolomite Nadia Innovate, a microfluidic droplet protocol development instrument that will enable us to invent two novel organoid screening platforms: (1) Droplet Miniature Organoid Spheres (DMOS) that can expand quickly, preserve tissue heterogeneity, and support high-throughput screen, and (2) a CRISPRi Organoid Screening by Multiplexed IndeXing (COSMIX) platform to identify stem cell and tissue plasticity regulators. If successful, our invention of droplet-based high-throughput organoid functional assays will be transformative in a way similar to droplet-based single-cell sequencing, which has changed our understanding of tissue heterogeneity.

Key facts

NIH application ID
10133905
Project number
3R35GM122465-04S1
Recipient
DUKE UNIVERSITY
Principal Investigator
Xiling Shen
Activity code
R35
Funding institute
NIH
Fiscal year
2020
Award amount
$107,810
Award type
3
Project period
2017-04-01 → 2022-03-31