Developing new imaging techniques to study immune cell activity
New radiotracer development to study immune cell mobilization of granzyme proteolytic activity
This study is exploring how certain immune cells fight infections and cancer by using special enzymes, and they're creating a new imaging technique to see these enzymes in action in real-time, which could help improve treatments for immune-related diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10812432 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how immune cells, particularly natural killer and cytotoxic T cells, use specific enzymes called granzymes to fight infections and cancer. The team is developing a novel imaging technique that allows for the detection of granzyme activity in living organisms, which could provide insights into immune responses. By using a method called 'restricted interaction peptides,' they aim to visualize how these enzymes function in real-time, potentially leading to better treatments for diseases linked to immune dysfunction.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae or those suffering from autoimmune diseases.
Not a fit: Patients with non-infectious conditions unrelated to immune cell activity may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for patients with infections or autoimmune diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using imaging techniques to study immune responses, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Evans, Michael John — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Evans, Michael John
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 below.