# Development of iPSCs for comparative genomics in primates

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO · 2021 · $666,410

## Abstract

Abstract
This is a new proposal submitted in response to a funding opportunity focused on comparative genomics
research (PAR-17-482). The FOA states that NHGRI invites applications for the “development of new
comparative genomics research approaches using genomic data types to understand biological systems,
networks, and pathways.” And that “high priority will be given to applications that propose innovative and
promising approaches to genome-wide and multi-species comparisons.”
Differences in gene regulation between humans and other primates may ultimately be used to explain the
molecular basis for human-specific traits. While current comparative studies in primates have provided
valuable insight into the genetic architecture of gene regulation, they do not provide a flexible framework to
study inter-species variation in gene regulation in multiple cell types from the same individuals. In particular,
frozen post-mortem tissues are not optimal templates for many functional genomic assays; as a result, we lack
data sets that survey multiple dimensions of gene regulatory mechanisms and phenotypes from the same
samples. Moreover, because it is rare to collect a large number of tissue samples from the same donor, we
have never had the opportunity to study population-level patterns of gene regulation in multiple tissues or cell
types derived from the same non-human ape genotype (same donor), and we have not been able to study
population-level dynamics of gene regulation, for example, during perturbation.
We propose to explore an alternative promising way to move forward. Recent extraordinary advances in
molecular biology suggest a way forward. It has now become possible to reprogram somatic cells, such as
fibroblasts and several types of blood cells, into a pluripotent state, in which the cells have the capability to
both self-replicate indefinitely and to differentiate into any cell type in the body. These reprogrammed (or
induced) pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can then be directed to differentiate into specific cell types, which can
then be studied in detail. The availability of iPSC lines from multiple species could therefore change
comparative primate genetics and genomics in a profound way, by allowing us to sidestep traditional limitations
on research in primates.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10189681
- **Project number:** 5R01HG010772-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Yoav Gilad
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $666,410
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10189681

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10189681, Development of iPSCs for comparative genomics in primates (5R01HG010772-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10189681. Licensed CC0.

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