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Develop improved iPSC protocols for all relevant cell types and human-based organoid model systems.
Support the development of co-culture systems utilizing 3D organoid-like spheres to recapitulate complex interactions in a dish and develop novel ex-vivo models of “cognition in a dish” and “ancestry in a dish” for precision medicine research.
Invest in the development of high-throughput systems of AD-relevant cells and organoids driven by robotics with digital read-outs (such as high content imaging) to leverage reinforcement learning techniques for more data-driven target discovery/screening.
2024 RFA-AG-14-012: Human Cell Reprogramming for Functional Genetics of Alzheimer’s Disease (R01) RFA-AG-17-009: Impact of Aging in Human Cell Models of Alzheimer’s Disease (R01) PAR-18-516: Human Cell Biology of Alzheimer's Disease Genetic Variants (R01) RFA-AG-19-010: Alzheimer Centers for Discovery of New Medicines (U54) NOT-AG-21-052: Human Cell Biology of Alzheimer's Disease Genetic Variants (reissue of PAR-18-516) RFA-AG-24-040: Microphysiological Systems to Advance Precision Medicine for AD/ADRD Treatment and Prevention (U54 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) NOT-AG-24-039: Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Human Cell Biology of Alzheimer's Disease Genetic Variants 4.F Achieved Develop improved iPSC protocols for all relevant cell types and human-based organoid model systems... DN 2015 AD Summit: 2H 2018 AD Summit: 1G, 2N and 3E Workshop: Microphysiological Systems to Advance Precision Medicine for AD/ADRD Treatment Blog: Microphysiological systems: A promising new platform for Alzheimer’s drug development Workshop: Microphysiological Systems to Advance Precision Medicine for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and AD-Related Dementias (ADRD) Treatment and Prevention Workshop: Computational and Human In Vitro Approaches to Accelerate Translational Aging Research Translational Tools, Infrastructure, and Capabilities UC Irvine ADRC iPSC Core iPSCs and Fibroblast lines at NCRAD UCSD ADRC iPSC Core Examples of Funded Projects Treat AD Centers Emory-Sage-Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC)-Jackson Laboratory (JAX) TREAT-AD center Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM)-Purdue TREAT-AD center 2016
- Establish infrastructure to develop standardized and deeply phenotyped in vitro model resources, including iPSC-based and primary cells, brain slice and organoid models.
- Establish the translational validity of these in vitro models to recapitulate the molecular/network perturbations identified in the individual (human or animal) from which the in vitro model was generated.
- Ensure rapid and broad distribution of the cell-based and organoid research models, data, and analytical methods for use in basic research and therapy development, similar to the open-science/open source principles of the MODEL-AD Consortium.
Summary of Key Accomplishments
As part of the strategy to develop novel alternative methods (NAMs) for use in basic research and therapy development for AD/ADRD, in 2025 NIA launched two translational centers for development of microphysiologic systems to advance precision medicine for AD/ADRD (MPS-AD Centers).
The MPS-AD Centers will establish infrastructure to develop standardized and deeply phenotyped in vitro model resources, including iPSC-based and primary cells, brain slice and organoid models. The Centers will establish the translational validity of these in vitro models to recapitulate the molecular/network perturbations identified in the individual (human or animal) from which the in vitro model was generated. The Centers will operate under open science principles and ensure rapid and broad distribution of the cell-based and organoid research models, data, and analytical methods for use in basic research and therapy development.
The key accomplishments summary is current as of September 2025.