Embryonic DevelopmentNCT07688538
Mapping of the Developmental Atlas of the Visual System and Research on Embryonic Neurogenesis Phenomena
An observational study of Embryonic Development and Retinal Anomalies, run by Sheng Liu at 1 site in China.
Trial summary
This research studies how nerve cells in the human embryonic retina, visual brain regions, and brain areas responsible for higher cognitive functions grow, develop, and form interconnected functional networks. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Any ageHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Embryonic Development, Retinal Anomalies, Neural Development
- What is being tested?
- Tissue collection and multi-omics sequencing analysis
- How many people
- 200 participants
- Where
- 1 siteChina
- Study dates
- 16 Jan 2026to Jun 2027
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages Any age
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Study population: This study recruits pregnant patients undergoing termination of pregnancy at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, divided into an embryonic developmental abnormality group (Abnormal group) and a normal control group (Normal group), with a planned enrollment of 100 subjects per group. The gestational age of embryos ranges from 9 to 40 weeks. Two types of samples are included: retrospective cryopreserved specimens from the hospital biobank collected between January 2025 and January 2026 (20 cases per group, with donors having signed informed consent for specimen research use); and prospective fresh specimens collected between February 2026 and June 2027 (80 cases per group). All participants sign study-specific written informed consent.
Who may be able to join
- Abnormal group: Embryos with clinically confirmed embryonic developmental abnormalities requiring medical termination of pregnancy; intact retinal, visual and cognitive brain tissues available for snATAC-seq, scRNA-seq, electrophysiology, proteomics and RNAscope detection.
- Normal group: Embryos confirmed free of any ocular and central nervous developmental defects by prenatal examination and anatomical observation; intact embryonic ocular and brain tissues meeting all experimental detection standards.
- All sample donors have signed written informed consent authorizing the use of residual embryonic tissues for scientific research, with no monetary compensation involved.
Who cannot join
- Embryonic ocular or brain tissues with severe necrosis, structural damage or microbial contamination that cannot support multi-omics and functional experiments.
- Donors who withdraw or refuse the consent for tissue research use. Samples with irregular collection, transportation or cryopreservation procedures resulting in tissue degradation and failure to meet experimental requirements.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
China1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University
Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510060
Sheng Liu, 13622284795, liush87@mail.sysu.edu.cn
Sheng Liu
About this study
This research studies how nerve cells in the human embryonic retina, visual brain regions, and brain areas responsible for higher cognitive functions grow, develop, and form interconnected functional networks.
Eye tissue, visual brain tissue, and other brain tissue linked to advanced cognitive functions will be collected from embryos whose pregnancies were terminated due to medical conditions or illnesses. High-throughput single-cell and single-nucleus sequencing will be utilized to map gene activity patterns and developmental growth pathways of retinal nerve cells.
Read more
Multiple testing tools will be combined to analyze these brain and retinal cells: Patch-seq (single-cell patch-clamp sequencing), high-density microelectrode arrays (MEA), and two-photon calcium imaging. With these tools, systematic measurements will be performed on the electrical activity, physical shape, synaptic connection patterns, and signal coding functions of neurons in the retina and visual brain regions. Multi-modal tissue maps and a public database will be constructed to store all collected research data.
Immunofluorescence staining will also be applied to compare structural differences and nerve fiber connections between visual brain regions and higher cognitive brain areas. The regenerative capacity and neuron formation process of embryonic brain stem cells, as well as the migration paths of developing neurons, will be tracked.
Overall, this study aims to fully uncover the neural foundation of visual signal processing, and identify the molecular regulatory networks that control nerve tissue development during the embryonic stage.
- Conditions
- Embryonic Development, Retinal Anomalies, Neural Development
- Being tested
- Tissue collection and multi-omics sequencing analysis
- Keywords
- retina, visual cortex, cognitive cortex, neurogenesis
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Tissue collection and multi-omics sequencing analysisOther
This observational study collects discarded human embryonic ocular and brain tissues from patients undergoing clinically indicated termination of pregnancy, with gestational age ranging from 9 to 40 weeks. We separate retinal, visual cortex and high-order cognitive cortex tissues, then perform single-cell multi-omics sequencing including transcriptome, chromatin accessibility and proteome profiling. The data is used to explore retinal neurogenesis, neuronal developmental trajectories and multi-modal cell atlas of embryonic visual system, without any clinical intervention on participants.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Abnormal Group | Embryos with confirmed embryonic developmental abnormalities, gestational age 9-40 weeks, from patients receiving clinically indicated termination of pregnancy. Tissue collection and multi-omics sequencing analysis will be performed on ocular and brain tissues. Receives: Other: Tissue collection and multi-omics sequencing analysis | |
| Normal Group | Embryonic tissues derived from normally developing embryos with gestational age of 9 to 40 weeks, collected from pregnant women who voluntarily received clinically indicated termination of pregnancy. Ocular and brain tissues will be collected and subjected to multi-omics sequencing analysis consistent with the abnormal group. Receives: Other: Tissue collection and multi-omics sequencing analysis |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Single-cell transcriptomic atlas and developmental trajectory of embryonic retinal and visual cortical neurons
Perform single-cell RNA sequencing on human embryonic eye and brain tissues from abnormal developmental group and normal control group. Identify all cell subtypes in retina and visual-associated cognitive cortex, reconstruct continuous developmental trajectory of retinal neurogenesis and visual cortical neurons, and compare neuronal subtype distribution differences between the two groups.
Measured: Day 1 of tissue collection
Genome-wide chromatin open regions in embryonic visual tissues
Genome-wide chromatin open regions are detected via snATAC-seq on embryonic ocular and brain tissues from case and control groups.
Measured: Day 1 of tissue collection
Differential chromatin accessibility between normal and malformed embryonic visual tissues
Differential chromatin accessibility signals are identified via integrated analysis of snATAC-seq and scRNA-seq data from embryonic ocular and brain tissues.
Measured: Day 1 of tissue collection
Candidate pathogenic genes underlying embryonic visual developmental abnormalities
Genes linked to abnormal embryonic visual development are screened based on differential chromatin and transcriptomic profiles.
Measured: Day 1 of tissue collection
Secondary outcomes (5)
Action potential firing patterns of embryonic visual neurons
Action potential firing patterns are recorded via combined Patch-seq and MEA on primary cultured retinal and visual cortical neurons from case and control embryonic tissues.
Measured: Day 1 of tissue collection
Synchronous electrical activity of embryonic neuronal networks
Neuronal network synchronous electrical activity is recorded via combined Patch-seq and MEA on primary cultured retinal and visual cortical neurons from case and control embryonic tissues.
Measured: Day 1 of tissue collection
Spatial expression localization of key visual development genes detected by RNAscope
RNAscope in situ hybridization is conducted on embryonic retinal and brain tissue slices to visualize the spatial distribution and quantitative expression levels of candidate pathogenic genes screened from multi-omics data. Compare the spatial gene expression differences between normal embryonic visual tissues and tissues with ocular developmental defects.
Measured: The day 1 of embryonic tissue collection after clinical termination of pregnancy
Differentially expressed proteins identified via global proteome sequencing
Global proteome sequencing is performed on embryonic ocular and brain tissues to generate lists of differentially expressed proteins linked to retinal neurogenesis and visual cortical development.
Measured: Day 1 of tissue collection
Spatial localization and expression abundance of proteins via immunohistochemistry
Immunohistochemistry staining is applied on embryonic tissue sections to detect spatial localization and expression abundance of core differentially expressed proteins.
Measured: Day 1 of tissue collection
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted7 Jul 2026
- Study start16 Jan 2026
- Primary completionJun 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionJun 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (4)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Embryonic DevelopmentStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Retrospective
- Enrolment
- 200 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Sheng Liu
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Sheng Liu, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07688538
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IIT2025136
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 23 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 7 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: The raw individual-level data contains identifiable embryonic genomic information. To protect participants' privacy and comply with domestic biomedical research ethics and data security laws, we cannot share the original IPD with external researchers. Processed analytical results including cell atlas, differential genes and regulatory networks will be released together with related publications.
Publications
Huang W, Xu Q, Liu F, Su J, Xiao D, Tang L, Hao ZZ, Liu R, Xiang K, Bi Y, Miao Z, Liu X, Liu Y, Liu S. Identification of TPBG-Expressing Amacrine Cells in DAT-tdTomato Mouse. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2022 May 2;63(5):13. doi: 10.1167/iovs.63.5.13.
PubMed 35551574Huang W, Xu Q, Su J, Tang L, Hao ZZ, Xu C, Liu R, Shen Y, Sang X, Xu N, Tie X, Miao Z, Liu X, Xu Y, Liu F, Liu Y, Liu S. Linking transcriptomes with morphological and functional phenotypes in mammalian retinal ganglion cells. Cell Rep. 2022 Sep 13;40(11):111322. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111322.
PubMed 36103830Chen X, Huang Y, Huang L, Huang Z, Hao ZZ, Xu L, Xu N, Li Z, Mou Y, Ye M, You R, Zhang X, Liu S, Miao Z. A brain cell atlas integrating single-cell transcriptomes across human brain regions. Nat Med. 2024 Sep;30(9):2679-2691. doi: 10.1038/s41591-024-03150-z. Epub 2024 Aug 2.
PubMed 39095595Wei JR, Xiao D, Tang L, Xu N, Liu R, Shen Y, Xu Z, Sang X, Ge J, Xiang M, Liu S. Neural cell isolation from adult macaques for high-throughput analyses and neurosphere cultures. Nat Protoc. 2023 Jun;18(6):1930-1957. doi: 10.1038/s41596-023-00820-z. Epub 2023 Apr 12.
PubMed 37045994
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 7 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Mapping of the Developmental Atlas of the Visual System and Research on Embryonic Neurogenesis Phenomena
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07688538
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IIT2025136
- Conditions
- Embryonic Development, Retinal Anomalies, Neural Development
- Keywords
- retina, visual cortex, cognitive cortex, neurogenesis
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 200 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Sheng LiuUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University
- Study start
- 16 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Jun 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Jun 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 7 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This research studies how nerve cells in the human embryonic retina, visual brain regions, and brain areas responsible for higher cognitive functions grow, develop, and form interconnected functional networks.
Eye tissue, visual brain tissue, and other brain tissue linked to advanced cognitive functions will be collected from embryos whose pregnancies were terminated due to medical conditions or illnesses. High-throughput single-cell and single-nucleus sequencing will be utilized to map gene activity patterns and developmental growth pathways of retinal nerve cells.
Multiple testing tools will be combined to analyze these brain and retinal cells: Patch-seq (single-cell patch-clamp sequencing), high-density microelectrode arrays (MEA), and two-photon calcium imaging. With these tools, systematic measurements will be performed on the electrical activity, physical shape, synaptic connection patterns, and signal coding functions of neurons in the retina and visual brain regions. Multi-modal tissue maps and a public database will be constructed to store all collected research data.
Immunofluorescence staining will also be applied to compare structural differences and nerve fiber connections between visual brain regions and higher cognitive brain areas. The regenerative capacity and neuron formation process of embryonic brain stem cells, as well as the migration paths of developing neurons, will be tracked.
Overall, this study aims to fully uncover the neural foundation of visual signal processing, and identify the molecular regulatory networks that control nerve tissue development during the embryonic stage.
Study design
- Observational model
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Retrospective
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Abnormal Group | – | Other: Tissue collection and multi-omics sequencing analysisEmbryos with confirmed embryonic developmental abnormalities, gestational age 9-40 weeks, from patients receiving clinically indicated termination of pregnancy. Tissue collection and multi-omics sequencing analysis will be performed on ocular and brain tissues. |
| Normal Group | – | Other: Tissue collection and multi-omics sequencing analysisEmbryonic tissues derived from normally developing embryos with gestational age of 9 to 40 weeks, collected from pregnant women who voluntarily received clinically indicated termination of pregnancy. Ocular and brain tissues will be collected and subjected to multi-omics sequencing analysis consistent with the abnormal group. |
Who may qualify
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- This study recruits pregnant patients undergoing termination of pregnancy at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, divided into an embryonic developmental abnormality group (Abnormal group) and a normal control group (Normal group), with a planned enrollment of 100 subjects per group. The gestational age of embryos ranges from 9 to 40 weeks. Two types of samples are included: retrospective cryopreserved specimens from the hospital biobank collected between January 2025 and January 2026 (20 cases per group, with donors having signed informed consent for specimen research use); and prospective fresh specimens collected between February 2026 and June 2027 (80 cases per group). All participants sign study-specific written informed consent.
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Abnormal group: Embryos with clinically confirmed embryonic developmental abnormalities requiring medical termination of pregnancy; intact retinal, visual and cognitive brain tissues available for snATAC-seq, scRNA-seq, electrophysiology, proteomics and RNAscope detection.
- Normal group: Embryos confirmed free of any ocular and central nervous developmental defects by prenatal examination and anatomical observation; intact embryonic ocular and brain tissues meeting all experimental detection standards.
- All sample donors have signed written informed consent authorizing the use of residual embryonic tissues for scientific research, with no monetary compensation involved.
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Embryonic ocular or brain tissues with severe necrosis, structural damage or microbial contamination that cannot support multi-omics and functional experiments.
- Donors who withdraw or refuse the consent for tissue research use. Samples with irregular collection, transportation or cryopreservation procedures resulting in tissue degradation and failure to meet experimental requirements.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Tissue collection and multi-omics sequencing analysisThis observational study collects discarded human embryonic ocular and brain tissues from patients undergoing clinically indicated termination of pregnancy, with gestational age ranging from 9 to 40 weeks. We separate retinal, visual cortex and high-order cognitive cortex tissues, then perform single-cell multi-omics sequencing including transcriptome, chromatin accessibility and proteome profiling. The data is used to explore retinal neurogenesis, neuronal developmental trajectories and multi-modal cell atlas of embryonic visual system, without any clinical intervention on participants. | Other | Abnormal Group, Normal Group |
Primary outcome
Single-cell transcriptomic atlas and developmental trajectory of embryonic retinal and visual cortical neurons
Time frame: Day 1 of tissue collection
Perform single-cell RNA sequencing on human embryonic eye and brain tissues from abnormal developmental group and normal control group. Identify all cell subtypes in retina and visual-associated cognitive cortex, reconstruct continuous developmental trajectory of retinal neurogenesis and visual cortical neurons, and compare neuronal subtype distribution differences between the two groups.
Genome-wide chromatin open regions in embryonic visual tissues
Time frame: Day 1 of tissue collection
Genome-wide chromatin open regions are detected via snATAC-seq on embryonic ocular and brain tissues from case and control groups.
Differential chromatin accessibility between normal and malformed embryonic visual tissues
Time frame: Day 1 of tissue collection
Differential chromatin accessibility signals are identified via integrated analysis of snATAC-seq and scRNA-seq data from embryonic ocular and brain tissues.
Candidate pathogenic genes underlying embryonic visual developmental abnormalities
Time frame: Day 1 of tissue collection
Genes linked to abnormal embryonic visual development are screened based on differential chromatin and transcriptomic profiles.
5 secondary outcomes
Action potential firing patterns of embryonic visual neurons
Time frame: Day 1 of tissue collection
Synchronous electrical activity of embryonic neuronal networks
Time frame: Day 1 of tissue collection
Spatial expression localization of key visual development genes detected by RNAscope
Time frame: The day 1 of embryonic tissue collection after clinical termination of pregnancy
Differentially expressed proteins identified via global proteome sequencing
Time frame: Day 1 of tissue collection
Spatial localization and expression abundance of proteins via immunohistochemistry
Time frame: Day 1 of tissue collection
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 7 Jul 2026.
- Results publication: PubMed 35551574Huang W, Xu Q, Liu F, Su J, Xiao D, Tang L, Hao ZZ, Liu R, Xiang K, Bi Y, Miao Z, Liu X, Liu Y, Liu S. Identification of TPBG-Expressing Amacrine Cells in DAT-tdTomato Mouse. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2022 May 2;63(5):13. doi: 10.1167/iovs.63.5.13.
- Results publication: PubMed 36103830Huang W, Xu Q, Su J, Tang L, Hao ZZ, Xu C, Liu R, Shen Y, Sang X, Xu N, Tie X, Miao Z, Liu X, Xu Y, Liu F, Liu Y, Liu S. Linking transcriptomes with morphological and functional phenotypes in mammalian retinal ganglion cells. Cell Rep. 2022 Sep 13;40(11):111322. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111322.
- Results publication: PubMed 39095595Chen X, Huang Y, Huang L, Huang Z, Hao ZZ, Xu L, Xu N, Li Z, Mou Y, Ye M, You R, Zhang X, Liu S, Miao Z. A brain cell atlas integrating single-cell transcriptomes across human brain regions. Nat Med. 2024 Sep;30(9):2679-2691. doi: 10.1038/s41591-024-03150-z. Epub 2024 Aug 2.
- Results publication: PubMed 37045994Wei JR, Xiao D, Tang L, Xu N, Liu R, Shen Y, Xu Z, Sang X, Ge J, Xiang M, Liu S. Neural cell isolation from adult macaques for high-throughput analyses and neurosphere cultures. Nat Protoc. 2023 Jun;18(6):1930-1957. doi: 10.1038/s41596-023-00820-z. Epub 2023 Apr 12.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. The raw individual-level data contains identifiable embryonic genomic information. To protect participants' privacy and comply with domestic biomedical research ethics and data security laws, we cannot share the original IPD with external researchers. Processed analytical results including cell atlas, differential genes and regulatory networks will be released together with related publications.
Related trials for Embryonic Development
RecruitingObservational study
International Pilot Study for Dual Non-invasive Assesment of Embryo Development
Infertility
Active, not recruitingPhase 3
Human Menopausal Gonadotropin Research in Infertility Assessing Cumulative Live Birth With Frozen Embryo Transfer.
Infertility (IVF Patients)
RecruitingPhase 3
A Study to Learn About the Investigational Drug Rinzimetostat (ORIC-944) in Patients With mCRPC Who Were Previously Treated With Abiraterone Acetate (Himalayas-1)
Metastatic Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer
Not yet recruiting
Intra-ovarian CAPA-IVM vs Standard IVM
Infertility (IVF Patients), Infertility
Active, not recruiting
Interest of Morphokinetic Parameters of Early Embryonic Development in the Birth Rates in Vitro Fertilization
Reproductive Disorder
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Embryonic Development and Retinal Anomalies, run by Sheng Liu at 1 site in China.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 7 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in China. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Sheng Liu, Doctor (13622284795, liush87@mail.sysu.edu.cn), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Single-cell transcriptomic atlas and developmental trajectory of embryonic retinal and visual cortical neurons (time frame: Day 1 of tissue collection). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07688538, which also lists 4 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 7 Jul 2026.