Comparison of how the body normally counters infection vs. when it overreacts (sepsis)
Official title: Comparison of the Dysregulated and Regulated Host Responses to Infection
Funded at Feinstein Institute for Medical Research · NIH-11385534 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A clinician-scientist will explore why some patients’ bodies fight infection in a normal balanced way while others develop sepsis, aiming to better tailor treatments in the future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Feinstein Institute for Medical Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Manhasset, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $162,000 |
| NIH project number | 5K08AI193352-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11385534 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children aged 0-11 years who have infection, with and without progression to sepsis, and who may contribute biological samples for research.
✕Less likely to help
Children whose infection does not progress to sepsis may not directly benefit from the study interventions.
What this research studies
This project looks at the difference between a normal, regulated immune response to infection and the dysregulated response seen in sepsis, using both animal models and human data. The goal is to identify immune pathways that protect against sepsis and understand why current therapies have failed. Researchers will compare infected mice and patients who do not progress to organ dysfunction with those who do, using advanced molecular techniques. The study might pave the way for more precise, biology-driven approaches to prevent or treat sepsis in children. Findings could inform future trials and improve outcomes for youngsters at risk of severe infection.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of why some children develop sepsis could lead to more targeted treatments and improved survival.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests immune responses differ between regulated and dysregulated states, supporting the potential for meaningful insights with this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Feinstein Institute for Medical Research
Manhasset, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fisler, Grace — Feinstein Institute for Medical Research
- Study coordinator: Fisler, Grace
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.