R01NS116418
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
Comparative genomics of precursor diversity and function - Abstract
The neocortex is the most complex cellular system in the natural world, the seat of motor, sensory, and executive function. While many of the mechanisms responsible for neocortical formation are known, key aspects of how gene expression and cellular behavior lead to species-specific features of the neocortex remain to be discovered.
Recent advances in genomic analysis and in vivo cellular labeling enable study of cortical development at an unprecedented level of resolution. In particular, some human-specific genes and neural precursor cells have been detected, and current evidence suggests that increased proliferative capacity and longer neurogenesis times enable the expanded growth of the primate neocortex.
In this project, using archived tissue, we will comprehensively compare the heterogeneous groups of neural precursor cells in mouse, macaque, chimpanzee, and human neocortex. Using single-cell and single-nucleus RNA sequencing and implementation of novel molecular labeling tools, we will compare genomic signatures and in vivo behavior of these cells to uncover mechanisms of brain growth and evolution.
A significant focus of this project will be on a precursor type called the basal radial glial cell (BRGC), thought to have emerged recently in evolution to enable expansion of the primate brain. However, our preliminary experiments uncover multiple groups of BRGCs in mouse neocortex that share key features of BRGCs found in primate brain, contradicting reports suggesting their biased role in primate brain growth.
These studies will use emerging evidence and new tools to elucidate species-specific programs controlling neocortical growth.
The neocortex is the most complex cellular system in the natural world, the seat of motor, sensory, and executive function. While many of the mechanisms responsible for neocortical formation are known, key aspects of how gene expression and cellular behavior lead to species-specific features of the neocortex remain to be discovered.
Recent advances in genomic analysis and in vivo cellular labeling enable study of cortical development at an unprecedented level of resolution. In particular, some human-specific genes and neural precursor cells have been detected, and current evidence suggests that increased proliferative capacity and longer neurogenesis times enable the expanded growth of the primate neocortex.
In this project, using archived tissue, we will comprehensively compare the heterogeneous groups of neural precursor cells in mouse, macaque, chimpanzee, and human neocortex. Using single-cell and single-nucleus RNA sequencing and implementation of novel molecular labeling tools, we will compare genomic signatures and in vivo behavior of these cells to uncover mechanisms of brain growth and evolution.
A significant focus of this project will be on a precursor type called the basal radial glial cell (BRGC), thought to have emerged recently in evolution to enable expansion of the primate brain. However, our preliminary experiments uncover multiple groups of BRGCs in mouse neocortex that share key features of BRGCs found in primate brain, contradicting reports suggesting their biased role in primate brain growth.
These studies will use emerging evidence and new tools to elucidate species-specific programs controlling neocortical growth.
Awardee
Funding Goals
(1) TO SUPPORT EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH FUNDED BY THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE (NINDS) INCLUDING: BASIC RESEARCH THAT EXPLORES THE FUNDAMENTAL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE BRAIN AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM, RESEARCH TO UNDERSTAND THE CAUSES AND ORIGINS OF PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM WITH THE GOAL OF PREVENTING THESE DISORDERS, RESEARCH ON THE NATURAL COURSE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS, IMPROVED METHODS OF DISEASE PREVENTION, NEW METHODS OF DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT, DRUG DEVELOPMENT, DEVELOPMENT OF NEURAL DEVICES, CLINICAL TRIALS, AND RESEARCH TRAINING IN BASIC, TRANSLATIONAL AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE. THE INSTITUTE IS THE LARGEST FUNDER OF BASIC NEUROSCIENCE IN THE US AND SUPPORTS RESEARCH ON TOPICS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: DEVELOPMENT OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM, INCLUDING NEUROGENESIS AND PROGENITOR CELL BIOLOGY, SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION IN DEVELOPMENT AND PLASTICITY, AND PROGRAMMED CELL DEATH, SYNAPSE FORMATION, FUNCTION, AND PLASTICITY, LEARNING AND MEMORY, CHANNELS, TRANSPORTERS, AND PUMPS, CIRCUIT FORMATION AND MODULATION, BEHAVIORAL AND COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE, SENSORIMOTOR LEARNING, INTEGRATION AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTION, NEUROENDOCRINE SYSTEMS, SLEEP AND CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS, AND SENSORY AND MOTOR SYSTEMS. IN ADDITION, THE INSTITUTE SUPPORTS BASIC, TRANSLATIONAL AND CLINICAL STUDIES ON A NUMBER OF DISORDERS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM INCLUDING (BUT NOT LIMITED TO): STROKE, TRAUMATIC INJURY TO THE BRAIN, SPINAL CORD AND PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, NEURODEGENERATIVE DISORDERS, MOVEMENT DISORDERS, BRAIN TUMORS, CONVULSIVE DISORDERS, INFECTIOUS DISORDERS OF THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM, IMMUNE DISORDERS OF THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM, INCLUDING MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, DISORDERS RELATED TO SLEEP, AND PAIN. PROGRAMMATIC AREAS, WHICH ARE PRIMARILY SUPPORTED BY THE DIVISION OF NEUROSCIENCE, ARE ALSO SUPPORTED BY THE DIVISION OF EXTRAMURAL ACTIVITIES, THE DIVISION OF TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH, THE DIVISION OF CLINICAL RESEARCH, THE OFFICE OF TRAINING AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, THE OFFICE OF PROGRAMS TO ENHANCE NEUROSCIENCE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND THE OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES. (2) TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE THE SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PROGRAM, TO INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, TO INCREASE SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION IN FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION. TO UTILIZE THE SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR) PROGRAM, TO STIMULATE AND FOSTER SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION THROUGH COOPERATIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CARRIED OUT BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, TO FOSTER TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, TO INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION.
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Boston,
Massachusetts
021182642
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Related Opportunity
Analysis Notes
Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 378% from $678,355 to $3,240,853.
Trustees Of Boston University was awarded
Genomic Diversity of Neural Precursor Cells in Primate Neocortex
Project Grant R01NS116418
worth $3,240,853
from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke in April 2021 with work to be completed primarily in Boston Massachusetts United States.
The grant
has a duration of 4 years 10 months and
was awarded through assistance program 93.853 Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders.
The Project Grant was awarded through grant opportunity Change of Recipient Organization (Type 7 Parent Clinical Trial Optional).
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 8/20/25
Period of Performance
4/1/21
Start Date
2/28/26
End Date
Funding Split
$3.2M
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$3.2M
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Transaction History
Modifications to R01NS116418
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
R01NS116418
SAI Number
R01NS116418-1015527266
Award ID URI
SAI UNAVAILABLE
Awardee Classifications
Private Institution Of Higher Education
Awarding Office
75NQ00 NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Funding Office
75NQ00 NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Awardee UEI
FBYMGMHW4X95
Awardee CAGE
4CY87
Performance District
MA-07
Senators
Edward Markey
Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth Warren
Budget Funding
Federal Account | Budget Subfunction | Object Class | Total | Percentage |
---|---|---|---|---|
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Health and Human Services (075-0886) | Health research and training | Grants, subsidies, and contributions (41.0) | $1,323,890 | 100% |
Modified: 8/20/25