Editing B cells safely without CRISPR for new therapies
Official title: Safe, CRISPR/Cas-free B cell editing for therapeutic applications
Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-10893553 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new, safer way to change B cells, which help your body fight infections, to better treat diseases like AIDS and improve vaccine responses, using a method that reduces risks and costs for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 25, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $265,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI178031-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10893553 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with conditions that affect B cell function, such as those with autoimmune diseases or immunodeficiencies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to B cell function or those who do not have access to the required therapeutic interventions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a safe method for editing B cells, which are crucial for producing antibodies. Instead of using CRISPR technology, which can pose risks of unintended genetic changes, this approach utilizes a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) to deliver a DNA template that allows for precise modifications. By harnessing the natural processes of B cells, the researchers aim to create therapies that can effectively target diseases like AIDS and improve vaccine responses. This method could potentially lower costs and enhance safety for patients needing B cell therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer and more effective therapies for patients with immune-related conditions.
How similar studies have gone: While B cell editing has been explored using CRISPR and other methods, this specific approach using rAAV for safe editing is novel and has not been widely tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Farzan, Michael R. — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Farzan, Michael R.
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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.