# Cell Models Core

> **NIH NIH P20** · MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA · 2020 · $240,439

## Abstract

Cell Models Core – Project Summary
The COBRE in Digestive & Liver Disease (CDLD) Cell Models Core will provide CDLD investigators with access
to state-of-the-art tissue culture models of digestive and liver disease. We will use genome engineering
technologies including CRIPSR-Cas9 to introduce specific genetic alterations into established cell lines and into
induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The iPSCs will be differentiated to form cells of the gastrointestinal tract
and liver that will be used for study by CDLD investigators. In addition to providing CDLD investigators cell lines
and organoids that can be used for direct analyses, the Cell Models Core will also equip investigators with
mentoring, training, and critical reagents allowing them to establish the procedures in their own laboratories.
Through training opportunities, the Core will advance the technological toolbox of CDLD investigators, increase
their competitiveness for funding, and enable them to advance as experts in digestive and liver disease research.
The Core will also adopt a program of rigorous evaluation to ensuring optimal performance and continual access
to new technologies as they are developed. The Cell Models Core represents a new core research resource at
the Medical University of South Carolina. Currently, this technology is only available to a limited group of
investigators and is temporarily run from the Duncan laboratory. Dr. Stephen A. Duncan, who will lead the core,
is an expert in stem cell biology and cell differentiation, and he has used genome engineering extensively to
generate cells to model liver disease. He has previous experience in running a similar core while a Professor at
the Medical College of Wisconsin. The Core also recruited the expertise of Dr. Jorge Múnera who has pioneered
the generation of colonic organoids from iPSCs. The Core leadership has already worked closely with the CDLD
Junior Investigators to generate preliminary data for their proposed projects. Support through the COBRE will
allow the Cell Models Core to expand its operation and provide these essential services to a broad community
of CDLD investigators. A needs assessment survey ascertained that 21 established CDLD investigators and 3
junior investigators would use the core in the immediate future. The core will therefore have a substantial impact
and advance digestive disease and liver research at MUSC.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9853386
- **Project number:** 1P20GM130457-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
- **Principal Investigator:** STEPHEN A DUNCAN
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $240,439
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9853386

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9853386, Cell Models Core (1P20GM130457-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9853386. Licensed CC0.

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