A tiny device that sorts immune cells by what they release
A microfluidic platform for high performance sorting of immune cells based on their distinct secretion patterns
['FUNDING_R01'] · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · NIH-11243495
This project builds a microfluidic method that separates immune cells by their secretions to help people with autoimmune diseases get more targeted treatments.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CHICAGO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11243495 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
For patients, this work creates a small-chip tool called SECRE that catches individual immune cells and reads what signaling molecules they release. The device sorts large numbers of single cells by their secretion patterns so researchers can pair those patterns with each cell's genes using modern sequencing. That lets scientists find the specific genes and pathways that make certain immune cells drive inflammation in autoimmune disease. Over time this could point to new drug targets or improve engineered cell therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with autoimmune diseases who are willing to provide blood or immune cell samples for research would be the most directly relevant participants now or in future trials based on this work.
Not a fit: Patients without immune-related conditions or those unable or unwilling to provide samples are unlikely to see direct benefits from this project in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, researchers could identify precise immune-cell types and the genes controlling harmful secretions, enabling more targeted autoimmune therapies and better-designed cell treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Related single-cell and microfluidic approaches have shown promise, but high-throughput sorting specifically by secretion patterns is a newer capability that this project aims to advance.
Where this research is happening
CHICAGO, UNITED STATES
- NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY — CHICAGO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: KELLEY, SHANA O — NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: KELLEY, SHANA O
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.
Conditions: Autoimmune Diseases