# Characterization of cellular and molecular components of intestinal niche

> **NIH NIH U01** · STOWERS INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH · 2022 · $412,500

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Characterized by rapid and continual turnover, the intestine provides an elegant system for the
study of cells which self-renew and regenerate, and thus hold great promise for regenerative
medicine. Studies have provided important insight regarding the capacity of intestinal stem cells
for self-repair or healing as well as ongoing maintenance and differentiation into all the various
intestinal cell types. However, considerable research is needed to better understand how to
treat intestinal disorders.
Many intestinal disorders are due to defects in the stem cells or progenitor cells (which are more
specific than stem cells) or to misdirected signals provided by the niche, the microenvironment
which helps to regulate stem and progenitor cell behavior. Defining the essential cellular niche
components and the associated key signals that direct stem and progenitor cells to proliferate
and differentiate will be an innovative and important step toward treating intestinal disorders with
regenerative medicine.
The overall mission of the Intestinal Stem Cell Consortium (ISCC) is to characterize the niche
components that support intestinal stem cells in health and disease, using an integrated,
multidisciplinary team science approach, with the vision of developing novel therapies targeting
intestinal stem cells and supportive niche to regenerate and rebuild the human intestine.
To achieve the ultimate goals of pre-clinical development of both humoral and tissue therapy,
the research project proposed herein will contribute with the following specific aims: to
characterize cellular components and molecular signals of the intestinal niche network under
both homeostasis and stress conditions, and to define these in the mouse model to provide an
insight into human organoid growth. Methods to be used include bulk and single cell RNA-seq
analyses, RNA-scope, 3D immunofluorescent imaging, and 3D organoid culture.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10470349
- **Project number:** 5U01DK085507-14
- **Recipient organization:** STOWERS INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH
- **Principal Investigator:** LINHENG LI
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $412,500
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2009-09-30 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10470349

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10470349, Characterization of cellular and molecular components of intestinal niche (5U01DK085507-14). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10470349. Licensed CC0.

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