# Stem Cell/Organoid and Genome Editing Core

> **NIH NIH P30** · CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR · 2024 · $149,892

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The overall goal of the Pluripotent Stem Cell and Organoid Core of the Digestive Health Center (DHC) is
to provide DHC investigators with fully integrated services to catalyze research on mechanisms of digestive
diseases via innovative and reliable model systems using native and genome edited stem cells and organoids.
The Core pursues this goal with four complementary aims. In the First Aim “to provide DHC investigators with
human iPSCs and iPSC-derived organoids and training,” the Core makes available to users quality-tested
human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) and PSC-derived multilineage cellular organoids of the esophagus, fundic
and antral regions of the stomach, intestine, colon, and liver. The Core also facilitates the production of tissue-
derived enteroids and liver and biliary organoids. These are novel 3D-miniature organs that enable studies
related to physiology and pathobiology relevant to humans. Core leaders and experienced staff hold
technology transfer through formal tiered courses and hands-on training, supervision, and support. In the
Second Aim “to provide next generation organoid technologies for cheaper, scalable, high-quality organoids,”
the Core provides investigators with the opportunity to generate organoids from healthy or diseased subjects
using novel, reliable protocols for more efficient and scalable directed differentiation of human PSCs into
organoids. In the Third Aim “to provide services for CRISPR-Cas9 mediated genome editing of human PSCs,”
the Core evolved in its scope of technology and service to offer DHC Investigators state-of-the-art genome
editing using CRISPR/Cas9 system. Successful projects have used knockin and knockout editing to study
mechanisms of disease. To be able to track and visualize these cells in experimental assays, the Core also
provide reporter-labeled PSC-editing and screening services to establish novel cell lines based on
investigators’ needs. And in the Fourth Aim “to bank and make available quality-controlled iPSC lines and
organoids for digestive research,” the Core banks well phenotyped natural and edited hPSC lines as well as
disease-specific iPSCs to catalyze the translation of basic research findings into novel diagnostic and
therapeutic tools. The service is aligned with high quality metrics and meets regulatory requirements for de-
identification and human subject protection. Collectively, these novel technologies empower DHC investigators
to study mechanisms of disease using multi-cellular experimental systems that have direct “lineage” to normal
and diseased human tissues (including at different stages of maturation). The delivery of services is
streamlined and centralized, and positions investigators to explore new collaborative projects to catalyze
discoveries that will positively impact digestive disease research.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10848310
- **Project number:** 5P30DK078392-18
- **Recipient organization:** CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** James M Wells
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $149,892
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2007-08-01 → 2027-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10848310

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10848310, Stem Cell/Organoid and Genome Editing Core (5P30DK078392-18). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10848310. Licensed CC0.

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