# Robust Control of the Stem Cell Niche

> **NIH NIH R35** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $107,810

## 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 organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Xiling Shen
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $107,810
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2017-04-01 → 2022-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10133905

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10133905, Robust Control of the Stem Cell Niche (3R35GM122465-04S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10133905. Licensed CC0.

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