R24OD031956
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
XENCAT: Xenopus Single Cell Atlas - Project Summary
The genetic causes of human diseases are rapidly being identified thanks to a revolution in human genomics. Progress toward a deeper understanding, however, requires further analysis of the underlying developmental, cellular, and molecular mechanisms, as well as the establishment of predictive disease models to test therapeutic options.
Ultimately, genes do not function in isolation; they are grouped spatially and temporally at multiple nested levels, the most salient functional unit being the single cell. Observing biological systems at the cellular level provides an unprecedented opportunity to define functional modularity and combinatorial interactions of genes in various physiological contexts.
Many of these contexts are conserved in evolution, deviations from which produce important innovations but which also lead to malformations and disease. Accordingly, a human cell atlas is being built with the hope that it will form a core of this single-cell perspective. Parallel work in model organisms will be crucial, and cell atlases are being constructed currently, e.g., in mouse and zebrafish.
From Gurdon's discovery of nuclear reprogramming, through characterization of the cyclins that drive the cell cycle, to many recent discoveries on signaling among cells, Xenopus remains at the forefront of biomedical research as a unique model. We propose to establish a single cell atlas for this important model system, which would enhance the value of the unique methods already available in Xenopus and allow effective communication to other experimental systems, including human.
It will be a critical complement to other emerging Xenopus tools, such as CRISPR-edited mutant lines, which could be most easily characterized in developmental and adult function at the single-cell level. Moreover, the large cell size of amphibian embryonic cells has already made single-cell proteomics possible in Xenopus, well ahead of other organisms; thus, Xenopus is the natural choice for spearheading the shift towards single-cell proteomics.
Overall, this project will enhance a critical animal model for the investigation of human disease mechanisms and open new horizons for many already supported NIH projects in other institutes that focus on specific organ systems and disease.
The genetic causes of human diseases are rapidly being identified thanks to a revolution in human genomics. Progress toward a deeper understanding, however, requires further analysis of the underlying developmental, cellular, and molecular mechanisms, as well as the establishment of predictive disease models to test therapeutic options.
Ultimately, genes do not function in isolation; they are grouped spatially and temporally at multiple nested levels, the most salient functional unit being the single cell. Observing biological systems at the cellular level provides an unprecedented opportunity to define functional modularity and combinatorial interactions of genes in various physiological contexts.
Many of these contexts are conserved in evolution, deviations from which produce important innovations but which also lead to malformations and disease. Accordingly, a human cell atlas is being built with the hope that it will form a core of this single-cell perspective. Parallel work in model organisms will be crucial, and cell atlases are being constructed currently, e.g., in mouse and zebrafish.
From Gurdon's discovery of nuclear reprogramming, through characterization of the cyclins that drive the cell cycle, to many recent discoveries on signaling among cells, Xenopus remains at the forefront of biomedical research as a unique model. We propose to establish a single cell atlas for this important model system, which would enhance the value of the unique methods already available in Xenopus and allow effective communication to other experimental systems, including human.
It will be a critical complement to other emerging Xenopus tools, such as CRISPR-edited mutant lines, which could be most easily characterized in developmental and adult function at the single-cell level. Moreover, the large cell size of amphibian embryonic cells has already made single-cell proteomics possible in Xenopus, well ahead of other organisms; thus, Xenopus is the natural choice for spearheading the shift towards single-cell proteomics.
Overall, this project will enhance a critical animal model for the investigation of human disease mechanisms and open new horizons for many already supported NIH projects in other institutes that focus on specific organ systems and disease.
Funding Goals
THE OFFICE OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS (ORIP) IS A PROGRAM OFFICE IN THE DIVISION OF PROGRAM COORDINATION, PLANNING, AND STRATEGIC INITIATIVES (DPCPSI) DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE AND RELATED RESEARCH RESOURCE PROGRAMS. ORIP CONSISTS OF THE DIVISION OF COMPARATIVE MEDICINE (DCM) AND THE DIVISION OF CONSTRUCTION AND INSTRUMENTS (DCI).
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding Agency
Place of Performance
Boston,
Massachusetts
021156027
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Related Opportunity
Analysis Notes
Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 329% from $805,562 to $3,458,750.
President And Fellows Of Harvard College was awarded
Xenopus Single Cell Atlas: Advancing Disease Mechanism Research
Project Grant R24OD031956
worth $3,458,750
from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in August 2022 with work to be completed primarily in Boston Massachusetts United States.
The grant
has a duration of 4 years and
was awarded through assistance program 93.351 Research Infrastructure Programs.
The Project Grant was awarded through grant opportunity Resource-Related Research Projects for Development of Animal Models and Related Materials (R24 Clinical Trials Not-Allowed).
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 8/20/25
Period of Performance
8/1/22
Start Date
7/31/26
End Date
Funding Split
$3.5M
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$3.5M
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Transaction History
Modifications to R24OD031956
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
R24OD031956
SAI Number
R24OD031956-2684701797
Award ID URI
SAI UNAVAILABLE
Awardee Classifications
Private Institution Of Higher Education
Awarding Office
75AGNA NIH AGGREGATE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE DATA AWARDING OFFICE
Funding Office
75NA00 NIH OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
Awardee UEI
JDLVAVGYJQ21
Awardee CAGE
3Q2L2
Performance District
MA-07
Senators
Edward Markey
Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth Warren
Budget Funding
| Federal Account | Budget Subfunction | Object Class | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, Health and Human Services (075-0846) | Health research and training | Grants, subsidies, and contributions (41.0) | $1,847,164 | 100% |
Modified: 8/20/25