# Spatial analyses of marmoset germline development

> **NIH NIH U01** · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SAN ANTONIO · 2024 · $26,685

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
There is an urgent need for nonhuman primate models of neurodegenerative, neurodevelopmental, and
neuropsychiatric disorders to help with development of therapies designed to advance brain health. Among
NHPs, the common marmoset [Callithrix jacchus (cj)] affords a highly tractable option because of its small size,
short lifespan, production of multiple offspring/year and accurate recapitulation of human neuroanatomy.
However, the ultimate utility of the marmoset model remains in its infancy due to the paucity of efficient tools to
facilitate studies requiring genetic modification, especially those needed to recapitulate complex aspects of brain
health. To address this urgent need, the parent project proposed an innovative, more efficient approach to
achieve gene editing and transgenesis in marmosets based on the novel use of highly manipulable induced
pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) that can be differentiated to form male germ cells that can ultimately be used to
produce transgenic offspring carrying precisely edited alleles of genes relevant to brain health and disease. In
Aim 2 of the parent grant, we are optimizing derivation and transplantation of male cjiPSC-derived germ cells
into recipient testes and grafts to foster development of transgenic sperm. Here, we are proposing supplemental
support for a promising undergraduate candidate to be involved with experiments in this Aim 2 to expose her to
this cutting-edge research in marmosets using spatial transcriptomics, stimulate her continued interest in pursuit
of a research career and provide her with new skills that will benefit her prospects as a career researcher.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11123762
- **Project number:** 3U01DA054170-04S2
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SAN ANTONIO
- **Principal Investigator:** Brian Peter Hermann
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $26,685
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2021-08-01 → 2025-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11123762

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11123762, Spatial analyses of marmoset germline development (3U01DA054170-04S2). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-12 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11123762. Licensed CC0.

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