# Kidney single cell and spatial molecular atlas project - KIDSSMAP

> **NIH NIH U54** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $100,000

## Abstract

Abstract (Overall) 
The goal of the KIDney Single cell and Spatial Molecular Atlas Project (KIDSSMAP) is to create an anatomical
and molecular “metaverse” of the human kidney. KIDSSMAP will accomplish this by generating multiscalar,
multidimensional and multimodal maps of the adult non-diseased human kidney at a single cell resolution. This
work will build on and extend the existing efforts of the investigative team through the first phase of HuBMAP.
We will specifically focus on micro functional tissue units (FTUs) and structures that are along the cortico-
medullary axis of the kidney. The technologies generating data include paired single nucleus chromatin
accessibility and RNA expression (snRNA/ATAC-seq -cell type and state diversity), smFISH and DART-FISH
(targeted high resolution spatial interrogation of 30-1000 transcripts), spatial transcriptomics (untargeted
genome wide spatial mapping of dissociative technologies), CODEX (multiplexed spatial protein interrogation
to bridge with RNA technologies and 3D IF technologies), 3D multiplexed immunofluorescence (3D IF-
subcellular resolution to define neighborhoods in microFTUs), lightsheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM-
anatomical maps at mesoscale of key and 3D maps of neurovascular associations with FTUs) and Scattering
Raman Spectroscopy (SRS-2D, 3D label free volumetric mapping at subcellular scale). The maps generated
will define quantitative metrics of cell diversity, spatial defined neighborhoods across wide scales for different
types of analytes interrogated by a diverse set of single call based and spatial technologies encompassing
chromatin states, gene expression, protein, extracellular matrix, metabolites and lipids ranging from subcellular
to volumetric meso and anatomic scale. These will be further augmented by characterizing biologically diverse
(sex, age, race) samples. These tasks will be accomplished through a KIDney Organ Specific Project
(KIDOSP) and a KIDney Data Analysis Center (KIDDAC), with their outputs, milestones and delivery to the
HIVE centrally managed. KIDSSMAP is formed by the alliance of investigators who have extensive expertise in
kidney tissue interrogation, spatial mapping and data integration. The investigators have a track record of
contributing to large consortia such as HuBMAP and KPMP through fruitful and collaborative interactions. By
mapping the human kidney with its diverse functional units at high resolution and large scale, KDSSMAP will
generate a valuable resource for the community to understand kidney health and disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11144650
- **Project number:** 3U54DK134301-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Tarek Maurice Ashkar
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $100,000
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2022-09-15 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11144650

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11144650, Kidney single cell and spatial molecular atlas project - KIDSSMAP (3U54DK134301-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11144650. Licensed CC0.

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