A new model to understand how human brain immune cells react to alcohol
Chimera-BONCAT: A novel in vivo model for in-depth characterization of the human microglial response to alcohol
This project uses a lab model with human-derived brain immune cells to learn how they respond to alcohol, aiming to help people with alcohol use disorder.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11163484 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will grow human brain immune cells from donated skin or blood cells and introduce them into a living animal model to create a human-cell 'chimera' brain environment. They will use a chemical tagging method (BONCAT) to label and track proteins made by those human microglia after alcohol exposure. By reading out the proteins these cells make in response to alcohol, the team hopes to map the molecular reactions that may drive brain harm in alcohol use disorder. The work is done in the lab and in animals but uses human cells to improve relevance to people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This work is most relevant to people with alcohol use disorder and to individuals willing to donate tissue or cells for laboratory research.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate treatment or clinical care for alcohol problems should not expect direct benefits from this lab-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could identify microglial molecules or pathways that lead to new therapies to prevent or reduce alcohol-related brain injury.
How similar studies have performed: Related approaches have characterized microglia in rodents, but applying BONCAT to human microglia in a living chimera is a new and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Tampa, United States
- University of South Florida — Tampa, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stevens, Stanley M — University of South Florida
- Study coordinator: Stevens, Stanley M
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.