Creating advanced biosensors to improve CAR T cell therapy for cancer treatment
Official title: Development of single fluorophore biosensors for multiplex imaging of CAR T Signaling
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11032890 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on creating special tools to see how CAR T cells act in real-time, helping us understand why they sometimes stop working in solid tumors, with the hope of making cancer treatments better for patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $151,548 |
| NIH project number | 5K01EB035649-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11032890 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients undergoing CAR T cell therapy for solid tumors who may experience T cell exhaustion.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers that do not involve CAR T cell therapy or those who are not eligible for immunotherapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing highly sensitive biosensors that can visualize the signaling activities of CAR T cells in real-time. By using advanced techniques in mammalian cells, the project aims to understand the molecular mechanisms that lead to T cell exhaustion in solid tumors. The goal is to enhance the effectiveness of CAR T cell therapy by identifying and manipulating key regulatory proteins and epigenetic markers involved in T cell function. Patients may benefit from improved cancer immunotherapy strategies that arise from these insights.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective CAR T cell therapies, potentially improving outcomes for cancer patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using biosensors for cellular imaging, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights into CAR T cell dynamics.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Longwei — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Liu, Longwei
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.