NIH-funded research R15 grant

Developing antibodies that work better with changes in pH

Official title: Engineering and Characterization of pH dependent Antibodies

Funded at Northern Illinois University · NIH-10974952 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is exploring how to make antibodies that can adjust their actions based on the acidity in the body, which could lead to better treatments for patients by making these antibodies work more effectively in different conditions.

Quick facts

Grant typeR15 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNorthern Illinois University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (De Kalb, United States)
Project startSeptember 1, 2024
Project endAugust 31, 2027
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$415,329
NIH project number1R15GM155846-01
Project IDNIH-10974952 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are patients who require antibody-based therapies for conditions such as cancer or other diseases where antibody function is critical.

Less likely to help

Patients who do not require antibody therapies or those with conditions unrelated to antibody function may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on engineering antibodies that can change their behavior based on pH levels, which could enhance their effectiveness in various medical applications. By introducing specific acidic residues, the researchers aim to create antibodies that can better regulate their interactions with antigens, potentially leading to improved therapies. The project will involve detailed characterization of these antibodies to understand how they function in different pH environments. Patients may benefit from advancements in antibody-based treatments that are more responsive to the body's changing conditions.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective antibody therapies that adapt to the body's pH levels, improving treatment outcomes for patients.

How similar studies have gone: While the approach of engineering pH-dependent antibodies is innovative, similar strategies in antibody design have shown promise in other research, suggesting potential for success.

Where this research is happening

  • Northern Illinois University
    De Kalb, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Horn, James R. — Northern Illinois University
  • Study coordinator: Horn, James R.

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Molecular heat sensors to measure tiny biomolecule reactions

    A new, low-sample calorimetry platform uses a fluorescent heat sensor to measure heat changes in biomolecule interactions with picomole quantities, helping researchers study binding and reaction mechanisms.

    NIH research Northern Illinois University · De Kalb, United States · NIH-11445081

  • Word Learning and Vocabulary Development in Blind Children

    This grant will study how blind and sighted children learn new words and grow their vocabularies to better tailor education for blind students.

    NIH research Northern Illinois University · De Kalb, United States · NIH-11408556

  • How blind children learn words and build vocabulary

    Comparing how blind and sighted children ages 5–12 learn words and grow their vocabularies.

    NIH research Northern Illinois University · De Kalb, United States · NIH-11166521

  • Investigating how blind children learn words and develop vocabulary

    This study looks at how blind children, ages 5 to 12, learn new words and build their vocabulary differently than sighted kids, and it aims to find better ways to help them learn language skills.

    NIH research Northern Illinois University · De Kalb, United States · NIH-11163819

  • How blind children learn words and develop vocabulary

    This study looks at how not being able to see affects how blind children learn new words compared to sighted children, and it aims to find better ways to help blind kids build their vocabulary.

    NIH research Northern Illinois University · De Kalb, United States · NIH-10918173

  • Examining how a brief attention-based intervention affects fear responses.

    This study is testing a new method called the Attention Training Technique to see if it can help people with PTSD and anxiety who haven't found relief from regular treatments by focusing on how they manage fear.

    NIH research Northern Illinois University · De Kalb, United States · NIH-10291622

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.