Creating artificial lymphoid tissues to enhance human B cell activation and delivery.
Official title: Hydrogel-based lymphoid tissues for generation of activated human B cells and delivery in vivo
Funded at Georgia Institute of Technology · NIH-10996228 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to help your immune system by creating special environments that encourage your B cells to grow and become powerful infection-fighting cells, which could lead to better vaccines and treatments for autoimmune diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $787,654 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI186314-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10996228 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with autoimmune diseases or those requiring enhanced immune responses to infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have autoimmune conditions or who are not seeking improved immune therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing synthetic hydrogel-based environments that can support the growth and differentiation of human B cells into activated immune cells. By mimicking the natural conditions found in lymph nodes, the project aims to generate high-affinity antibody-secreting cells that can effectively respond to infections. The approach involves using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells to create long-lasting plasma cells that can be delivered into the body, potentially improving vaccine efficacy and immune responses. Patients may benefit from advancements in understanding and treating autoimmune diseases and infections through enhanced B cell therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective vaccines and therapies for autoimmune diseases by improving the activation and longevity of B cells.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been advancements in B cell therapies, this approach using synthetic hydrogels for generating human germinal centers is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Singh, Ankur — Georgia Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Singh, Ankur
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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.