This months top grants in regenerative medicine, sourced from Dimensions, includes projects on: a novel platform to enhance single cell interrogation of nervous system development, human endothelial cell regulation of ossification and the development of a dynamic double network hydrogel for generating pancreatic organoids from induced pluripotent stem cells.

This project aims to investigate a strategy, which utilizes novel spatial transcriptomics approaches, integrated multiplexed RNA/protein detection and visualization and computational algorithms to identify and map molecular markers of the preganglionic neurons in the ventral spinal cord and progenitor cell populations of the sympathetic ganglia. If successful, the approach could provide a foundation for basic research of peripheral nervous system birth defects and repair using stem cell-based therapies, as well as future studies of neuroblastoma initiation.

Funding amount:US$206,000

Funding period: 8 August 2022 31 July 2024

Funder:Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

Research organization:Stowers Institute for Medical Research (MO, USA)

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Over one million patients undergo bone repair procedures in the USA annually, with autologous bone grafting remaining the preferred treatment for bone defects. The development of therapies that exploit the osteogenic potential of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (bm-MSCs) has been limited due to limited understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of in vivo bm-MSC osteogenesis. Previous research from the group showed that the osteogenic potential of bm-MSCs is dependent on sustained proximity to endothelial cells. The goal of the present study is to elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which endothelial cells regulate the osteogenic differentiation of bm-MSCs and develop a foundation of knowledge upon which to build therapeutic strategies for bone regeneration utilizing autologous bm-MSCs.

Funding amount:US$442,000

Funding period: 10 August 2022 31 May 2027

Funder:National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

Research organization:Boston Childrens Hospital (MA, USA)

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Human induced pluripotent stem cells provide a valuable source of cells for basic research and translational applications. While there have been advances in lineage-specific differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells, there remains limited understanding on the impact of matrix stiffness, viscoelasticity and integrin ligand presentation on the multi-stage development of exocrine pancreatic organoids. This research aims to define the influence of matrix properties on the generation of exocrine pancreatic organoids by developing a viscoelastic dynamic double network hydrogel platform with controllable matrix mechanical properties and biochemical motifs. This will advance the application of chemically defined matrices as xeno-free artificial stem cell niches for organoid growth and tissue regeneration applications.

Funding amount:US$468,000

Funding period: 1 August 2022 31 July 2026

Funder:National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Research organization: Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IA, USA)

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Top 3 grants in regenerative medicine: July 2022 - RegMedNet