The Human BioMolecular Atlas Program (HuBMAP)

Program Snapshot

The goal of the Human BioMolecular Atlas Program (HuBMAP) is to develop an open and global platform to map healthy cells in the human body. In humans, the proper functioning of organs and tissues is dependent on the interaction, spatial organization, and specialization of all our cells. Scientists estimate there are 37 trillion cells in an adult human body, so determining the function and relationship among these cells is a monumental undertaking. Using the latest molecular and cellular biology technologies, HuBMAP researchers are studying the connections that cells have with each other throughout the body. HuBMAP will build the framework necessary to construct the tools, resources, and cell atlases needed to determine how the relationships between cells can affect the health of an individual.

HuBMAP's 2024-2025 Jumpstart Fellowship

Learn about HuBMAP's Jumpstart Fellowship by attending the Technical Assistance Webinar on Friday, September 13, 2024 at 2:00pm EDT.

Find out more at the Jumpstart Fellowship website .

Connect with HuBMAP!

Learn about NIH HuBMAP funding opportunities, news, and resources.

Join the Listserv

HuBMAP Consortium Website

Learn more about the exciting work our researchers are doing.

Visit the Website

Health Relevance

The adult human body is composed of tens of trillions of cells carefully organized in tissues to carry out the daily processes to keep us alive and healthy. The organization, specialization, and cooperation of different cells within each normal tissue have a profound impact on tissue growth, function, and aging. These factors can also indicate the emergence of disease. For example, immune cells reside in normal tissues as part of their regular surveillance duties. The ability to detect subtle changes in the activity of individual immune cells and in their interactions with other cells within tissues would help signal the emergence of disease before symptoms are clinically detectable.

Understanding important high-resolution features of cells in tissues remains a challenge. Recently developed technologies, including many supported through NIH programs, allow researchers to explore the organization of large numbers of cells at the individual cell level. These advances opened the possibility to study and map the organization of all cells within tissues or organs across the human body. While HuBMAP is not anticipated to map the entire body, it will get the work started, providing a framework for more complete mapping and making data available to the research community for further study.

Funded Research The Human BioMolecular Atlas Program (HuBMAP) Integration, Visualization & Engagement (HIVE) Initiative (OT2 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Program Resources

• HuBMAP Data Portal
• HuBMAP GitHub Repositories
• HuBMAP Docker Hub
• HuBMAP methods on protocols.io
• Azimuth - App for reference based single-cell analysis
• Common Coordinate Framework
• ASCT+B Reporter

Strategic Planning

The HuBMAP concept emerged from Phase 1 Strategic Planning activities. After review by NIH leadership and clearance by the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI) Council of Councils in 2016, HuBMAP underwent Phase 2 planning activities which were presented to the Council. Additional information can be found here:

• January 2016 Presentation at DPCPSI Council of Councils
  View the slides
  HuBMAP%20December%202016%20Council%20of%20Councils_508.pdf (1.1 MB)
  and the webcast here .
• Portfolio Analysis of
  2016%20HuBMAP%20Portfolio%20Analysis.pdf (257.08 KB)
  (presented in March 2017 at the NIH Office of Portfolio Analysis Symposium)
• June 2016 Workshop:
  HuBMAP%20Summary%20of%20Planning%20Meeting.docx (25.39 KB)
• September 2016 Presentation at DPCPSI Council of Councils
  View the slides
  2017%20Council%20of%20Councils%20Presentation_508.pdf (1.1 MB)
  and the webcast here .
• July 2017 Tissue Acquisition and Metadata Standards Workshop
  The purpose of the workshop was to identify challenges in collecting, preserving, and annotating high quality human tissue for downstream analytical techniques. Learn more about this workshop
  Breakouts-June28_508_0.pdf (6.3 MB)
  .
• May 2021 Presentation at DPCPSI Council of Councils
  View the slides
  Day-1-215PM-CF-Concept-HuBMAP-Conroy_508.pdf (3.44 MB)
  , and the webcast here (presentation starts at 2:57:43 mark)

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