NIH-funded research R21 grant

Creating blood tests to understand children's immune systems better.

Official title: Development and application of pediatric-specific blood transcriptional modules across diverse geographical settings through public data mining

Funded at Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · NIH-11116685 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how children's immune systems work differently based on where they live, using blood samples from kids aged birth to 12 years, to help create better vaccines and treatments just for them.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Cincinnati, United States)
Project startFebruary 25, 2025
Project endJanuary 31, 2027
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$286,791
NIH project number1R21AI191085-01
Project IDNIH-11116685 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research include children aged birth to 12 years, particularly those from diverse geographical backgrounds.

Less likely to help

Patients outside the age range of birth to 12 years or those not affected by immune-mediated diseases may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing specialized blood transcriptional modules (BTMs) that reflect the unique immune characteristics of children from various geographical backgrounds. By analyzing a large dataset of blood samples from children aged birth to 12 years, the project aims to create a comprehensive understanding of pediatric immune responses. The methodology involves advanced computational techniques to identify and categorize gene sets that are crucial for interpreting immune health in children. This work will help in tailoring vaccines and therapies specifically for pediatric populations, addressing a significant gap in current medical research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved vaccines and treatments for infections and immune-related diseases in children.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in developing transcriptional modules for adult populations, but this approach for pediatric-specific modules is novel.

Where this research is happening

  • Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
    Cincinnati, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Hagan, Thomas Lafayette — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
  • Study coordinator: Hagan, Thomas Lafayette

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Accelerating Rheumatic Heart Disease Prevention in Uganda

    A program to find people with rheumatic heart disease in Ugandan communities and give them preventive care close to home.

    NIH research Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · Cincinnati, United States · NIH-11645314

  • Enhanced surveillance network to track childhood vaccines and viral infections in kids

    A nationwide pediatric surveillance network will closely watch how common viruses and vaccines affect children’s health, using standard protocols at hospital and ED sites.

    NIH research Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · Cincinnati, United States · NIH-11624109

  • Advancing CNS drug delivery through epigenetic tweaks

    A medical research project aims to help people with lysosomal storage disorders by improving how treatments reach the brain.

    NIH research Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · Cincinnati, United States · NIH-11617801

  • Spina Bifida Registry for Better Clinic Care

    A national registry project aims to improve care for people with spina bifida by collecting and sharing data from multidisciplinary clinics to guide evidence-based practices.

    NIH research Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · Cincinnati, United States · NIH-11616587

  • Hydroxyurea to help children with sickle cell anemia in Africa

    A pediatric study tests hydroxyurea treatment for young children with sickle cell anemia in several African countries to see if it can reduce illness and improve health.

    NIH research Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · Cincinnati, United States · NIH-11606512

  • Hydroxyurea for Children with Sickle Cell in Africa

    A pilot study tests hydroxyurea in young children with sickle cell disease across several African countries to see if it can reduce illness and hospital visits.

    NIH research Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · Cincinnati, United States · NIH-11606510

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.